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Drugs Action Aberdeen & Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd /Aberdeen City Alcohol & Drug Partnership
Drugs Action (DA) and Multi-Ethnic Aberdeen Ltd (MEAL) have formed a partnership project approach with the support of Aberdeen City Alcohol & Drug Partnership (ADP).
The project will specifically cover geographic boundaries of Aberdeen City, but will also importantly link and share information where appropriate, with similar projects across the Grampian area (Aberdeenshire & Moray respectively). Project activity will consist of street-level outreach work being developed through successful access and integration with MEAL BME networks. In Aberdeen City there are currently 200 nationalities and 70 languages spoken, with MEAL having access to around 100 volunteers, including translators, available to be utilised by the project as appropriate.
Outreach work will be based in drop-in facilities, taken forward through focus groups, network meetings and any other community areas designated appropriate to task. For example, advice would be sought through links with local agencies such as the Polish Society, Chinese Association and Romanian Association. From the availability of 5 MEAL network events a target minimum of 75 interviews would provide essential baseline information.
Both organisations will utilise their extensive existing networks and forum memberships and will identify other links as appropriate. Through this partnership approach, links will be utilised through the International Centre, Grampian Racial Equality Council, Aberdeen University (Health Equalities research), Grampian Police (Diversity Liaison Officer), Aberdeen City Council (including Environmental, Housing & Leisure departments), Public Health (GUM Clinic, Blood-borne Virus Forum and clinical networks) and other Adult Learning channels (such as ESOL). The partnership will also be able to use its knowledge and networks around wider issues such as domestic abuse and the sex industry (through membership of associated Forums).
OVERALL OUTCOMES AND LEARNING OF THE PROJECT:
To assess, understand and prioritise the specific needs of BME groups within Aberdeen City utilising an evidence-led approach that harnesses the specific knowledge and expertise of a range of agencies engaging and/or supporting equality and diversity.
To embed the outcomes and learning of the project within the ADP local recovery strategy. This could be seen to have potentially significant impact for BME communities, because as the strategy develops, it will be multi-agency, multi-disciplinary and comprehensive (covering the full spectrum of interventions, from education, prevention through to rehabilitation). Furthermore this is a city-wide approach built upon recommendations taken from the SG publication ‘Road to Recovery’.
Increased knowledge about how BME communities are affected by drugs, the nature of the problems they experience and the types of help they would like to receive.
Increased awareness by members of the BME communities of the nature of drugs, their effects and how to seek help for drug problems including the nature and existence of mainstream drug services.
Increase in knowledge about how to effect increased take up by BME communities of mainstream drug services, including how to access help for family member and how to maintain support for family member in treatment.
Increased understanding of the possibility of recovery, and recovery ‘opportunities’ by those with a drug problem from within the BME community.
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