People on the Island are reminded that there are ways to get treatment and support for alcohol and drugs, and with the right support, it’s possible to improve health and wellbeing.
Alcohol and drugs treatment and support is accessible to all residents through Inclusion Recovery IOW, a service commissioned by the Isle of Wight council’s Public Health team.
Newport hub
Inclusion has a hub in Newport where a dedicated team can provide tailored, individual support and treatments for anyone who needs it. They work with a range of partners to prevent and reduce alcohol and drugs harm on the Island through a range of services.
These include a mental health drop in at the Newport Inclusion hub, a specialist alcohol and drugs nurse based at St Mary’s Hospital and a specialist team working alongside the Police service and prisons to support people in the criminal justice system.
Targeted outreach programmes
Targeted outreach programmes have also been set up to work with people who may be more vulnerable, including hostel drop-in sessions for people who do not have secure accommodation and improved testing for blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis C.
The Island has achieved micro-elimination status for Hepatitis C, with everyone in alcohol and drugs services being offered a test.
Led by Strategic Drug and Alcohol Partnership
Coordination of work to reduce harm from alcohol and drugs and support people to access services is led by the Island’s Strategic Drug and Alcohol Partnership (ISDAP).
The partnership ensures the delivery of key ambitions aligned to the National Drugs Strategy, including allocating additional national grant money to support targeted work to reduce alcohol and drugs use on the Island.
Bryant: Access non-judgemental care and support when you need it
The Chair, Simon Bryant, Director of Public Health for the Isle of Wight Council, says,
“Providing good quality, appropriate support that is easy to access for all Islanders is key to ensuring we help people to reduce their alcohol and drugs use and maintain good health.
“Inclusion Recovery IOW are there to help and support residents of all ages with their alcohol and drugs use through services ranging from brief interventions to reduce your drinking to the delivery of more specialist treatment.
“We want to encourage individuals, their families and the wider community to support people to access non-judgemental care and support when they need it.”
Alcohol or drug use
If you would like to talk to someone about concerns for support linked to alcohol or drug use, please contact Inclusion on 01983 526 654.
The out of hours helpline number is 0300 330 2001. For further information visit Inclusion Isle of Wight.
Mental health support
The Isle of Wight council also works in partnership to deliver the mental wellbeing plan and the suicide prevention plan. Further information can be found on the Council’s web pages Mental health and wellbeing and Suicide prevention.
Residents who feel things are getting too much and need urgent support for their mental health can contact Crisis support – Mental Health Crisis Support — Isle of Wight Community Mental Health. You will be able to access a variety of organisations, all specialising in mental health support.
Affected by suicide
For anyone affected or bereaved by suicide, there is free, confidential support available via Amparo
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
