Mannix Magee Activating Rural Communities (ARC)

1. Mannix MageeActivating Rural Communities(ARC) Network Event Creggan Healthy Living Centre 5th March 2009

2. Historical context

3. Challenges

4. Community Response

5. ARC HLC Ltd. SOLACE: A Befriending and Advocacy Programme Using Harm Reduction Funded by WDACT:Initiated in December 2002: Delivering Services at present in North Fermanagh 2006 – 2009 Won the tender for delivery 2009 – 2011 with 3 one year options

7. Priorities for Action • Local Community Needs Analysis • Sallyswood Report • “Community group involvement” • “There are presently no facilities at times of abstinence” • “Local services to engage • while on the street” • “Alternatives in the community” • “Service availability when in relapse” • Government Policy Framework • Addressing Community Safety issues • Targeting those at risk and vulnerable • Reducing illicit drug use • Harm reduction approaches • Addressing Binge Drinking

8. ARC HLC Ltd SOLACE The Rock 44, Mill St Irvinestown BT94 1HP Phone: 02868628737 Mob: 07990796778 Fax: 05601158685 E-mail: Mannix.magee@archlc.com www.irvinestowndevelopment.com B E F R I E N D I N G In Crisis (Level 4) IMT 1/2 A D V O C A C Y Better to Light a Candle than Curse the Dark Coming out of or going into crisis (Level 3) IMT 3/4 In need of emotional/practical help (Level 2) IMT 5/6 Involved in worthwhile daily activities /Reasonably stable emotionally (Level 1) IMT 7/8 Harm Reduction

9. Harm Reduction • The International Harm Reduction Association defines Harm Reduction as • “policies and programs which attempt primarily to reduce the adverse health, social and economic • consequences of mood altering substances to individuals, drug users, their families and their communities.” • It does not condone or encourage drug/alcohol use because it recognizes that there are risks involved and • problems may follow. • Secondly, harm reduction, as defined above, does not reject abstinence. In fact, some claim the most effective means to reduce harm is not to engage in drug/alcohol use in the first place. • Harm reduction is a complementary strategy that sits beside supply control and demand reduction. • Its key focus is on outcomes rather than actual behaviours per se. • It is realistic and recognises that alcohol will continue to be used extensively in many communities and will • continue to create problems for some individuals and some communities. • Harm reduction is non-judgemental about the use of alcohol but is focused on reducing the problems that arise. • It is pragmatic – it does not seek to pursue policies or strategies that are unachievable or likely to create more • harm than good. • Harm reduction recognizes individual human rights – it is rooted in an • acceptance of individual integrity and responsibility.

10. Harm Reduction

11. Befriending • “Befriending - is a process whereby two or more people come together with the aim of • establishing and developing an informal and social relationship… • Ideally the relationship • is non-judgemental, • mutual, • purposeful • and there is commitment over time.” • (Home Office & Joseph Rowntree Foundation))

12. YOUR ADVOCATE SHOULD: • Give you power so that: • Your views and feelings are heard and you feel fully involved in decisions that are being made about your life • Your rights are met by people who make decisions about you. • Speak up for you by: • Helping you to speak up for yourself, • OR • Putting your views across for you. • Support you by: • Giving you information and advice about your rights and any worries you have • Helping you make choices about what you feel is best for you. • Help you by: • Sorting out problems and issues with the people who are • involved in your life • Making a complaint if you are not happy about something or • Finding you a solicitor if your legal rights aren’t met;

13. Pathway • Referral – open – basic referral form completed • Client information completed • Individual hard copy folder opened and secured • No contact in 3 months, an exit letter is generated • The service continues to remain available

14. AUDITAlcohol Use Disorder Identification Test ZONE 1 ZONE 2 ZONE 3 ZONE 4 Low Risk Hazardous Harmful Dependence 0 – 7 8 – 15 16 – 19 20 - 40 HAZARDOUS DRINKING refers to a pattern of drinking that is associated with high risk of psychological or physical problems in the future. HARMFUL DRINKERS are already suffering or experiencing these problems DEPENDENCE DRINKERS are experiencing symptoms of dependence including impaired control or a subjective experience of compulsion to drink BINGE DRINKING Five or more drinks (men) four or more (women) in one session equates to binge drinking. (Guideline) “The culture within which our attitudes have been formed mitigate against people behaving in a rational manner when out socialising.”

15. Levels of Support • Level of Support Total Hours/week Level of Need • Level 4 –Daily Contact 3 -7 Resettlement/crisis • (IMT:1,2) Intervention • Level 3 -2/3 visits per week 2-3 At risk of falling • (IMT: 3,4) into crisis • Level 2 -1 visit per week 1-2 Need for practical & • (IMT:5,6) & a phone call Emotional support • Level 1 -1 visit per month > 1 Occasional emotional & • (IMT;7,8) & a phone call Practical help • FSW; _______________________ Dev. Officer; ____________________

20. IMT USE (a) Agency – 1.shows success: 2. Informs training needs: 3 supports care planning (b) Client/FSW – 1. Shows complex needs: 2. Motivator in change process: 3. Can and does identify areas of ongoing need (c) Commissioners – 1. Delivers message that BOI do lead to change: 2. Links well to best value: 3. Variety on the wheel leaves it possible to communicate with several target groups Health Board : 1. Decisions can be evidence based: 2. Provide data for future planning: 3. Opportunity for data collection for agency comparison Partnerships: 1. Offers evidence of Community/Voluntary services are professional: 2. Useful report back mechanism to referral agencies: 3. Useful for report back to funding agencies (BOI – brief and opportunistic interventions)

21. Better to light a candle than curse the dark! Its good to know we haven’t been forgotten about Don’t worry we won’t abuse this place