Family Voices at Forefront of Alcohol and Drug Services

The voices of Dundee families are to help shape the way that local drug and alcohol services are delivered in the future.   

The Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) is now working with charity Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs to explore a family inclusive approach for the city.   

As part of their initial work, the charity is engaging with families, people who are using drugs & alcohol, as well as frontline workers in these areas and members of the community.   

A ‘Families on the Frontline’ conference will be held on June 11th and 12th where families and drugs & alcohol workers will come together to collaborate on a vision of how the approach can benefit families going forward.   

Dundee City Council alcohol and drugs spokesperson Councillor Nadia El-Nakla visited an engagement session at V&A Dundee to see how the initiative is progressing and talk to participants.    

She said: “This is a positive initiative, and I am pleased to see families at the heart of this work.    

“The ADP is constantly striving to improve services, and it is important that the voices of families who have a loved one suffering addiction are not only heard, but also their lived experiences are leading change.    

“Their experiences send such a powerful message to public protection organisations in the city.”    

Dr Emma Fletcher, interim chair of the Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership, said: “We very much welcome this work by Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs.  A family-focused approach is fundamental to our work as an ADP and we look forward to understanding more about how we can improve work in this area further, for people and families impacted by substance use in Dundee.”    

Councillor Roisin Smith, depute convener of the city council’s Children, Families and Communities committee, said: “I’m delighted to welcome this new approach. As we know the effects of drug and alcohol use are far reaching within families so introducing a family inclusive approach and focus is a positive next step.”  

Daryl McLeister Family Inclusive Practice Development Officer at Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, said: “Scottish Families has been supporting families across Scotland for over 20 years, and Family Inclusive Practice is a huge focus for us as a charity. We know just how big a difference this can make to people in Dundee who are affected by another person’s alcohol or drug use.    

“It is great to see that Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership share this focus and enthusiasm, and we greatly welcome the commitment made to exploring what is currently available for families in Dundee.    

“We’re excited to be underway with this project, and have already started having conversations with the workforce, with family members, and with the wider community. We have been offering training to members of the workforce in how we can work in a family inclusive way. And we have plans to host a conference in the Summer to build a vision for family inclusive support in the area.    

“There’s a lot to celebrate already, and we look forward to exploring with our partners how things can be strengthened to make sure every family member in Dundee is supported and included.”  

Tracey Smith, Learning Families Producer, V&A Dundee, said: “V&A Dundee continue to partner with Dundee-based charities to reduce barriers, share our resources and use the museum's learning space as a design hub for new ways of thinking. We are looking forward to exploring innovative models and practical strategies with social workers from across Dundee that will positively impact families' lives."