Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership welcome their new Chair

Issued by NHS Highland

Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP), the multi-agency group with responsibility for developing and implementing the strategy for addressing alcohol and drug issues in Highland has appointed Dr Margaret Somerville, Director of Public Health for NHS Highland as its new Chair.

Dr Somerville takes over the role from Councillor Jaci Douglas who stood down from the post in May.

In taking up this position, Dr Somerville said: “I’m delighted to be taking on such an important role in Highland, we have a serious and growing problem with alcohol and drugs in our area that requires us all to work in partnership to address the issues affecting our communities.

“If we want to reverse the trend of people losing their health prematurely due to harmful drinking, we need to make major changes in attitudes and behaviours.

“The Highland Alcohol & Drugs Partnership support Scottish Government’s proposals to address alcohol consumption, the raft of measures that include minimum pricing are important steps in improving health. There is a lot of evidence linking the amount of alcohol consumed to its price and showing that heavy drinkers in particular are very price sensitive."

Cllr Jaci Douglas, outgoing Chair remains involved with the Partnership in her new role as Political Champion for alcohol and drugs. She said: “Having been Chair of the partnership over the last 18months, I’ve been impressed with the dedication we have in Highland to face the alcohol and drugs problem head on, and I’m pleased to be able to continue this work in my new role.

“I’m looking forward to strengthening links between the HADP and our partners in political forums and across communities allowing us to share our knowledge and influence the changes we need to see to have a healthier future.”

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