National Assembly for Wales / Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru
Health and Social Care Committee / Y Pwyllgor Iechyd a Gofal Cymdeithasol

Inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse / Ymchwiliad i gamddefnyddio alcohol a sylweddau

Evidence from The Wallich – ASM(Q) 07 / Tystiolaeth gan Y Wallich – ASM(Q) 07

Inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse

Survey Consultation Response

Organisation/Respondent: Glenda Hailwood, Senior Support Worker, The Wallich

Questionnaire

01. Which client group(s) do you work with? (For example, under 18s, older persons, homeless, or female only)

§ Young people aged 16 – 25 years, male and female

02. What are the main reasons why your clients take drugs or drink excessively?  Please tick all that apply.

If you work with more than one client group or you feel that there are other reasons as to why your clients take drugs or drink excessively, please comment in the box below.

§ Peer pressure;

§ A way to deal with stress;

§ Mental health;

§ Boost confidence;

§ Relieve social anxiety;

§ Environmental factors (for example – excessive drinking and/or drugs normalised in the home/community)

§ Relationship problems;

§ Financial concerns;

§ Escapism.  

03. Are there certain groups of people who are more likely to be affected by drugs and excessive drinking? If so, which groups might they be?

No – it affects all people of all ages.

04. Does a particular stage of your clients’ lives influence their likelihood of taking drugs or drinking excessively? If so, what stage might that be? (i.e. age, relationship breakdown, unemployment etc.)

Relationship breakdown and peer pressure.

05. What barriers exist for your client(s) when trying to access support and services?

Age, not having the correct criteria for projects.

06. What barriers exist for services when trying to access support for client(s)?

As above.

07. What do you consider to be barriers for staff and frontline services in working with your client group(s), or substance misuse generally?

Venues to meet, unable to work with people if under the influence of substance misuse due to safety and risk to staff and others.

08. Where do you think efforts should be targeted to address the issue of alcohol and substance misuse in Wales?

Youth Services and Schools.

09. In which local authority area do you work? If you work outside of Wales, please write your local authority area below.

Denbighshire.

Contact Details

Glenda Haliwood

Senior Support Worker, The Wallich

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