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 Wales CRC – ASM(Q) 24 / Tystiolaeth gan Cwmni Adsefydlu Cymunedol Cymru – ASM(Q) 24
Inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse
Survey Consultation Response
Organisation: Wales CRC (from both the organisation and their service users)
Questionnaire
01. Which client group(s) do you work with? (For example, under 18s, older persons, homeless, or female only)
Offenders aged 18 and over.
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;
§ Client(s) already substance reliant;
§ 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;
§ Self-medication;
§ Escapism.
Comments
All of the above and additionally routine, culture, trauma, fun and excitement.
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?
Service users did not feel there is a certain group more likely to be affected. However it is clear that those who struggle with mental health problems, have experienced trauma and are in a criminal circle are all more likely to use drink and drugs.
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.)
Age was identified as being a time where their drug and alcohol use is affected. However it is
clear that any traumatic event can influence substance misuse.
05. What barriers exist for your client(s) when trying to access support and services?
Clients recognised that not knowing what services are available, timescales for waiting lists, distance and rurality – specifically in Dyfed Powys, agencies not dealing with all substances, red tape, family/shame, lack of knowledge and worried about the impact it may have on their family (social services involvement).
06. What barriers exist for services when trying to access support for client(s)?
Time, funding, chaotic lifestyle, red type, not meeting criteria, falling between cracks.
07. What do you consider to be barriers for staff and frontline services in working with your client group(s), or substance misuse generally?
Lack of communication, information not passed on, too much paperwork, earning rapport, empathy, not understanding the process, bureaucracy.
08. Where do you think efforts should be targeted to address the issue of alcohol and substance misuse in Wales?
Centralise agencies – use on assessment and computer system, outreach work, focus on youth clubs/schools, more money spent on service users.
09. In which local authority area do you work? If you work outside of Wales, please write your local authority area below.
Carmarthenshire
Contact Details