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 Newport Women’s Aid – ASM(Q) 22 / Tystiolaeth gan Cymorth i Fenywod Casnewydd– ASM(Q) 22

Inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse

Survey Consultation Response

Organisation/Respondent: Tori Brown, Newport Women’s Aid

Questionnaire

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

Primary client group is any female over the age of 16 who has experienced domestic abuse.

However we also provide educational services for children and young people - either generic healthy relationships or specific work with those affected by domestic abuse.

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.

§ A way to deal with stress;

§ Client(s) already substance reliant;

§ Mental Health;

§ Relieve social anxiety;

§ Relationship problems;

Comments

Some of the women we support have been introduced to drugs or alcohol by the abuser as a way of controlling them or keeping them in the relationship.

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?

Those who are more vulnerable for example young people leaving care or those who have been homeless.

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.)

Service users seem to be more at risk of substance abuse when they first engage with us and then again when they move out of accommodation if they don’t feel confident to manage in the community.

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

§ Confidence;

§ Confidential services - would prefer female only services or projects where you don’t have to wait in a general room;

§ Not thinking that they are the "type" of person that gets a substance abuse issues - highlighting drug and alcohol services as services for "druggies";

§ People with alcohol issues do not always want to access services with drug users.

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

§ Chaotic so don’t always attend appointments as agreed;

§ Service users not willing to engage;

§ Addresses not being given out and lots of accommodation changes so it’s hard to keep track;

§ At crisis point in DA services there tend to be so many agencies involved that they just don’t want to see another person.

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

N/A

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

§ Increased alcohol services;

§ Raising awareness in the general public rather than targeting high risk groups;

§ More education in schools;

§ Training around legal highs;

§ Support for professionals supporting service users with complex needs.

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

Newport

Contact Details

Tori Brown

Newport Women’s Aid

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX