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Centre's help for street
drinkers
MORE than 100 street drinkers who
attended a Centre set up to support them received medical treatment and other
help.
This figure is shown in an analysis of people attending the REST
(rehabilitation, education, support and treatment) Centre in Fraser Street which
supported individuals and attempted to help them reduce their alcohol intake.
Other services such as housing and homeless support were also available when the
Centre operated between June and September 2016.
Street drinkers were allowed to drink alcohol at the Centre under supervision.
The review of its use shows that 173 different individuals; 128 men and 45
women used the Centre, the youngest being 19, the oldest was aged 66.
A total of 124 people were referred to treatment services including GPs,
Hospitals or services dealing with alcohol issues. Seven people had wounds
dressed. 8 people went into detox and rehabilitation programmes and 86 were referred
to Addaction the drug and alcohol treatment charity.
The Centre was funded by the Clinical Commissioning Group Citysafe and Public
Health and operated by the Whitechapel Centre. A full evaluation of its work is
being carried out by the Centre for Public Health at John Moores University.
"The evaluation will assess not only how successful the Centre was for the
individuals who attended but will also look at its wider implications for the
City such as the effects on anti social behaviour. We will then be in a
better position to look at the future of this type of Centre.
However, it is clear from the raw numbers that the Centre was well used during
the summer and that many of the people who attended there were helped with
medical treatment, which they may not otherwise have had, as well as other
support.
Along with our partners we will continue to look at the best ways to reduce the
levels of street drinking in the City." said Councillor
Emily Spurrell, Mayoral Lead for Community Safety. |
