Highland Substance Misuse Tookit goes live
A new website www.highlandsubstancemisuse.scot (the Highland Substance Misuse Toolkit), has been launched by the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP).
Aimed at teachers and other professionals as well as young people, parents and carers; the toolkit provides information on key topics covering; drugs including novel psychoactive substances (‘legal highs’), alcohol, tobacco and blood borne viruses.
The website signposts those looking for information, to a range of useful sources that are directly relevant to them and their situations or the work they do.
Some examples of the information provided are; the law in relation to drugs; guidance to parents, harm reduction approaches and how advertising and marketing can influence alcohol consumption. Whether you are a teacher looking for creative ideas for lesson plans or a parent seeking advice on how to talk to teenagers about alcohol or drugs, you will find the Toolkit useful.
The Toolkit was commissioned by the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (HADP) which includes NHS Highland, Highland Council, Police Scotland, Crown Office, HMP Inverness and the Third Sector.
The partnership acknowledges the support of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Substance Misuse Working Group and Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers for allowing their materials to be included in the Highland Toolkit.
Chair of the Highland Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Julian Innes, Police Scotland Divisional Commander said: “HADP and Police Scotland welcome this new resource which the partnership will continue to develop. Feedback on improvements that could be made to the website and suggestions of further information for inclusion are welcome via a feedback link on the site.”
Councillor Linda Munro, Highland Council Children’s Champion welcomed the new Toolkit, she said: “This is a wonderful and innovative development. Having a central point where young people and their parents and carers can access up to date, vetted information relating to alcohol, drugs and smoking will improve understanding about the risks and how to keep safe.”
Elizabeth Smart, Consultant in Public Health, NHS Highland who chaired the Launch of the Toolkit at an event attended by almost 90 participants added: “We are very pleased to launch the Toolkit, which is a joint venture with Highland Council and Police Scotland and we hope it will be of practical help to schools and families.”