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Combatting Alcohol and Drugs Partnership

 

1. National context

The previous government published its new Combatting Drug Strategy ‘From Harm to Hope’ in December 202 . The ten-year policy incorporates the outcomes and 32 recommendations from the Dame Carol Black review and takes a wide-ranging view to tackling illegal drug use across all sections of the community. Its three main priorities are:

• Breaking Drug Supply Chains
• Delivering a World Class Treatment and Recovery System
• Achieving a Shift in the Demand for Recreational Drugs

As part of the Combatting Drug Strategy guidance was set out for Local Authorities that includes the completion of a local needs assessment and developed a framework for assessing Bradford’s needs in delivering on the Combatting Drugs Strategy priority outcomes.

2. Bradford district partnership history

Bradford Combating Drugs Partnership (CDP) was initiated in July 2022, integrating within the existing Bradford Community Safety Partnership (CSP) which, through the remit of its work, already received updates on issues related to alcohol and drug treatment and recovery. Several operational groups were established to deliver priority work of the CDP and significantly, in December 2022, the local Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) and Great Strength Group (GSG) began work to seek views and involve people who have lived experience of drug-related harm, including people who use (or have used) drugs, their family members and local residents or businesses affected by drug-related harm.

A year after initiation, a review of the governance arrangements for CDP took place, this was planned at commencement to ensure that Bradford CDP continued to be able to effectively deliver national guidance. The review indicated key positives of the arrangements, such as the partnerships senior membership and accountability for delivering the drug strategy; the multi-disciplinary membership bringing a wide range of perspectives and views and the speed and efficiency of its initial formation enabling all milestones to be met on time. The review also found that there was insufficient time, capacity and emphasis within CSP to focus on CDP priorities and key issues, such as achieving a generational shift in the demand for drugs. Agreement was therefore made that a new dedicated Bradford district CDP would be established.

3. New Combating Alcohol and Drugs Partnership

The initial meeting of the newly formed CDP for Bradford was held in April 2024. Terms of Reference (ToR) were presented and updated membership to ensure full coverage as required. Of significance, the majority of members agreed that the strategic focus of the partnership should give alcohol harm and improvement the same level of strategic impetus as drugs, and it was recommended and agreed that the partnership be renamed Bradford Combating Alcohol and Drug Partnership (CADP).

The local Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) is the Director of Public Health (DPH). This role is pivotal to successful delivery, acting as the local ‘system integrator’ and responsible for ensuring the right local partners come together, operate with strong collective engagement, and design a shared local plan to deliver against the National Combating Drugs Outcomes Framework. Other Key roles include:

• Local Partnership Lead, Head of Public Health
• Local Public Involvement Lead, Senior Public Health Specialist
• Local Data and Digital Lead, Senior Public Health Intelligence Analyst

In September 2024, a paper was presented to the Bradford and Airedale Wellbeing Board updating on its operation since September 2022 and providing detail on the newly formed dedicated Bradford CADP. It was agreed at the meeting that the CADP would sit within the Bradford and Airedale Wellbeing Board governance structure, provide the Board with regular update reports, and receiving strategic direction, challenge and support from its members. This has secured the high-level governance of the CADP which will not only deliver against Drug Strategy priorities but also those as set out in the Bradford Council Plan.

1.  ABOUT

Bradford Combating Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (CADP) now in its new formation from April 2024 gathers ground and has established six tactical and operational subgroups including:


• treatment and recovery working group
• criminal justice working group
• alcohol working group
• prevention and early support working group
• young people alcohol and drug working group
• reducing alcohol and drug related harm and death working group

To deliver on the national drug strategy, seven local priorities have been listed below through partnership work, drawing on local data and intelligence, service user feedback and experience, stakeholder expertise and national and local evidence. The seven priorities owned operationally across the six tactical and operational subgroups are:

1. Recovery: more people successfully recover from alcohol and/or drug use in the long term.
2. Reducing harm and death: reduce harms and the number of alcohol and drug related deaths.
3. Early identification and wider health: screening, reducing stigma and engagement for all.
4. Criminal justice system: continuity of care between prison and community and enhanced partnership recovery activity
5. Prevention: starts early in life.
6. Alcohol support: screening, early advice, and a range of support packages.
7. Delivery and accountability: through local strategic and operational groups.

A further two groups provide a golden thread for lived experience and data intelligence across the working groups and up to the CADP. Insight and involvement of those with lived experience and data provide direction and guidance to the working group activity.

2. RESOURCES

New Vision Bradford

If you need help or advice about drug and/or alcohol use:
Website: www.newvisionbradford.org.uk 

Telephone number: 01274 296023
Email: info@newvisionbradford.org.uk

One80

This is the Bridge Project’s support service for young people (aged 24 and under) who live in the Bradford District and are concerned about their use of substances.

Website: www.thebridgeproject.org.uk/services/one80-young-persons-drug-and-alcohol-service

One80 also support family members, friends, schools, social workers, and other professionals who are concerned about a young person’s use of drugs and alcohol.

To speak to someone about support for yourself please call 01274 745 636.

Living Well

For further information on alcohol and wellbeing, visit Bradford Living Well:  https://mylivingwell.co.uk/

DrinkCoach

DrinkCoach is a confidential and accessible digital service that helps individuals assess their drinking habits and access professional support. Bradford residents can benefit from free online alcohol coaching sessions, providing expert guidance to reduce alcohol intake and improve wellbeing. Want to feel better, save money, and improve your health? Cutting back on alcohol is a simple way that can make a big difference. You don’t have to do it alone.

How does DrinkCoach work?
- Take a quick, free, gold-standard alcohol test to understand your drinking levels and risk.
- Book a free online session with a specialist alcohol coach.
- Access self-help tools like ‘The Drink Tracker’, ‘Calorie Calculator’, ‘Seven Day Summary’, and ‘Event Diary’ to track progress and stay in control.

Who can use DrinkCoach?
This service is available to anyone in Bradford looking to cut down or make changes to their alcohol use—whether you are concerned about your drinking or simply want to develop healthier habits.

Visit local DrinkCoach service at https://drinkcoach.org.uk/bradford-page  to take the test and book your free session.