Perth and Kinross Alcohol and Drug Partnership Strategic Delivery Plan 2024-27

To identify local priorities, ADP officers sought the views of a wide range of partners and individuals from statutory, third sector, living/ lived experience and carers groups throughout Perth and Kinross.

Their views are reflected in the actions under each Priority and Outcome in the plan.

We have adapted the Scottish Government's National Mission on Drugs Outcomes Framework to structure our Strategic Delivery Plan.

Underpinning our plan are the Quality Principles for Drug and Alcohol Services and the supporting Recovery Philosophy which were developed to ensure anyone looking to address their problem drug and/or alcohol use receives high-quality treatment and support that assists long-term, sustained recovery and keeps them safe from harm. 
The Quality Principles: Standard Expectations of Care and Support in Drug and Alcohol Services - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Priority 1 - Prevention and early intervention

Key outcome:

Fewer people develop problem alcohol and drug use.

Relevant data:

• A higher proportion of Perth and Kinross secondary school pupils reported drinking alcohol at least weekly in 2021/22 than in other areas of Tayside.
• Rates of common assault and vandalism (which are associated with excessive alcohol use) have both been slowly increasing in Perth and Kinross over the past few financial years, with the 2021/22 rate of common assault the highest it has been since 2014/15.
• Fifteen maternities with drug use were recorded for 2017-18 to 2019-20 financial years. This equates to a rate of 12.68 per 1,000 maternities.

Priority 2 - Reducing the harms caused by alcohol and drugs

Key outcomes:

Risk is reduced for people who use alcohol and drugs.

People at most risk have access to treatment and recovery.

Relevant data:

• The average alcohol-specific death rate has been increasing in Perth and Kinross over recent years, with the rate amongst males twice as high as females in 2021.
• The 2021/22 alcohol hospital admission rate in Perth and Kinross was higher than any other year since 2012/13, with rates 5 times higher amongst people living in the most deprived areas, compared with the least deprived.  
• The average drug related death rate in Perth and Kinross remained consistent between 2021 and 2022. However, it is still 5 times higher than that reported in 2010, with three times as many deaths amongst males than females.

Priority 3 - Developing a Recovery Oriented System of Care

Key outcomes:

People receive high quality treatment and recovery services.

Quality of life is improved by addressing multiple disadvantages.

Relevant data:

• There were 35% more referrals to substance use services in Perth and Kinross in 2022/23 than in 2021/22.
• Over half of new referrals in 2022/23 resided in SIMD quintile 1 or 2 (equating to the 40%) most deprived neighbourhood, compared with less than a quarter who reside in SIMD 4 or 5 (the least deprived 40%).
• Treatment waiting times improved within community substance use services in Perth and Kinross throughout 2022/23, exceeding the target by the end of Quarter 4. However, performance decreased within prison services over the year.

Priority 4 - Getting it right for children, young people, families and communities

Key outcome:

Children, families and communities affected by alcohol and drug use are supported.

Relevant data:

In 2021, the rate of child protection cases in Perth and Kinross where known parental alcohol misuse was identified for children on the register was 6.89 per 10,000. The rate has remained above the national average since 2017.

In 2021, the rate of child protection cases in Perth and Kinross where parental drug use was identified for children on the register was 8.0 per 10,000 population, which was higher than that recorded in other Tayside areas or nationally.

Enablers

The following cross cutting priorities have been identified which will enable the priorities above to be addressed. 

Placing Lived and living experience at the heart

Key outcome:

The ADP will have a visible connection to people with lived and living experience, who will play a key role in service development.

Equalities and human rights

Key outcome:

ADP policies and practice will reflect the voices and rights of people with lived and living experience.

Tackling stigma

Key outcomes:

People with lived and living experience of alcohol and drug use in Perth and Kinross experience less stigma. People working in alcohol and drug services experience less stigma.

Surveillance and evidence

Key outcome:

The work of the ADP is informed by evidence-based, robust data

Resilient and skilled workforce

Key outcome:

The Perth and Kinross alcohol and drugs workforce have the right skills and knowledge to support services users.

Psychologically informed support

Key outcome:

Alcohol and drugs services in Perth and Kinross are psychologically informed.