Chief Inspector Simon
Wilson introduced a briefing paper outlining the activities of the
four Community Safety Partnerships in the West Kent CCG area in
relation to substance and alcohol misuse which is associated with a
wide range of criminal and anti-social behaviour. He said that, as an example, up to 20,000 people
come into Maidstone on a Saturday night and they are vulnerable to
harm or causing harm due to drug or alcohol misuse. It is necessary to educate people to make informed
choices.
Members of the Board
commented that:
·
There is a need to include clinicians on Community Safety
Partnership Boards.
·
There is a need for a proactive and co-ordinated approach to
prevention and education to avoid duplication of effort and
resources. This should include
intelligence sharing and targeted work.
·
Could consideration be given to linking co-ordinated outreach work
to late night levies?
In response to a
question by the Chairman, William Benson agreed to follow up the
possibility of alcohol related hospital admissions being coded as a
trial exercise. It was noted that at
present, unless a patient stays for more than four hours they are
not recorded. The data could be used to
quantify costs and inform decision making on preventative
measures.
RESOLVED: That the position be
noted.