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 Pembrokeshire Care Society – ASM(Q) 34 / Tystiolaeth gan Cymdeithas Gofal  Sir Benfro – ASM(Q) 34

Inquiry into alcohol and substance misuse

Survey Consultation Response

Organisation: Pembrokeshire Care Society

Questionnaire

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

All person/s experiencing or at risk of homelessness from the age of 16 upwards, this is

including the Gypsy Traveller community.

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;

§ 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?

16-25 year old, mental health issues, chronic illness, unemployed. Victims of abuse or neglect.

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.)

16-25 subject to peer pressure, relationship breakdown family/partner.

Unemployment/redundancy, vulnerable after suffering domestic violence or neglect.

Loneliness. Stress of sudden illness either personally or within in family unit.

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

Peer pressure, lack of knowledge of services available and contact details, erratic behaviour, admission of addiction, embarrassment, lack of self-esteem.

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

N/A.

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

Non engagement, erratic behaviour, poor understanding of advice while under the influence, lack of training for support staff.

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

Increase in joint communications and working relationships between statutory bodies and other services. Education on issues surrounding drug and alcohol misuse, easier access to counselling and a rehabilitation unit to be available in Pembrokeshire. More community projects to increase awareness of issues.

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

Pembrokeshire

Contact Details

N/A.