Statement issued by the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership

The Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), a multi-agency group with representatives from The Highland Council, NHS Highland, Northern Constabulary and the Scottish Prison Service, met on Tuesday 12th January to give careful consideration to recommendations for changes to the way the needs of drunk and incapable people are to be met across the Highlands in the future.  A range of options were considered and rated against agreed criteria which included looking at how well it might meet the needs of service users, equality of access, sustainability and affordability.   

As a result it was agreed that existing services and alternative supports will be developed in place of the provision currently offered at the designated place at Beechwood House, Inverness, which is due to close at the end of March 2010.       

Councillor Jaci Douglas, Chair of HADP said: "Members of the partnership met to review the options for meeting the needs of drunk and incapable people. With the closure of the Beechwood designated place at the end of March, we will be ensuring that alternative services are available to this vulnerable group.  

“The partnership’s priority is to ensure people get the right help at the right time and in the right place with services that are flexible, accessible and take account of the complex needs of drunk and incapable people across the Highlands.  Over the next three months, HADP will continue to build on the existing work of NHS Highland and Northern Constabulary to develop and implement services to meet the needs of this vulnerable group.”