Addressing Drugs and Alcohol Together
The PHA has funded a DACT Connections Service in each HSCT locality which acts as the operational arm of the local DACT; assisting the Team to take forward its priority actions and to work with other stakeholder organisations and partnerships in the area to develop and deliver drug and/or alcohol-related projects, events and initiatives.
The Connections Service also works closely with local community groups and forums, service user representatives and/or networks and with drug and alcohol service providers to ensure that the DACT is made aware of any emerging trends, issues of concern and gaps or pressures in service delivery.
Specifically the Connections Service is tasked and directed by the local DACT to undertake the following:
- Assist the DACT to develop, and deliver on, a locality focussed Drugs and Alcohol Implementation Plan
- Establish and facilitate regular meetings of a Local Drug and Alcohol Service Providers Network
- Development and implementation of at least three HSCT-wide events or initiatives per year – two focussed on alcohol and one on drugs (illegal or prescribed)
- Support the development of three regional alcohol and drug events or initiatives per year (including NI Alcohol Awareness Week) and the promotion and roll out of these at local level
- Work with other relevant multi-agency partnerships and networks in the locality in order to promote and develop more opportunities for joint planning and joint working in relation to addressing substance misuse issues
- Liaise with stakeholder and community organisations and networks in order to promote awareness of services, of emerging issues and trends, secure buy-in and support for upcoming local events/initiatives and participation in relevant training and development opportunities
- Design and deliver targeted information and awareness sessions on a range of alcohol and/or drug related topics
- Development and maintenance of a local service providers directory and also a contacts database to enable those interested to keep up to date with the latest information in relation to local (and regional) alcohol and drug related work and news
- Promote the use of the DAMIS (Drug and Alcohol Monitoring Information Service) amongst substance misuse and mental health service providers and service user groups, alongside the Local Drug and Alcohol Incident Protocol process for use by local stakeholder and community organisations
Relevant Docs
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To access the DACTS/DACT Connections Services overview/promotional booklet click below
DACT CONNECTIONS
The DACT, specifically in relation to its oversight of the Connections Service, is responsible for promoting a renewed focus on education and prevention at local level, and this is reflected in the wide range of objectives that the Connections Service has in relation to informing and raising awareness amongst the general public and key target groups and in supporting and encouraging better partnership working.
Public Awareness
Providing timely and accurate information raising awareness of the risks and dangers of misusing substances and local help and support available.
Community Mobilisation
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Stakeholder Involvement
Working together to coordinate, collaborate and communicate more effectively to respond better to local need(s).
Services Working Together
Enabling services to come together and work together to better support the needs of their clients.
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