ExchangE
Treating people as individuals, coupled with genuine multi-agency working, is
the key to addressing problematic synthetic cannabinoid use, says Minesh Patel
the Personalised aPProach
THE USE OF SYNTHETIC
CANNABINOIDS HAS BECOME A
VISIBLE PROBLEM in many town
centres, as their side effects – which can
include confusion, dizziness and loss of
muscle control – are often more
noticeable than those of other
substances.
Synthetic cannabinoids are having
the most severe impact among
individuals with multiple vulnerabilities,
particularly rough sleepers. Synthetic
cannabinoid mixes are cheap, strong
and readily available – commonly
referred to as ‘Spice’ or ‘Mamba’, these
names point to a range of mixes with
different chemical concentrations and
markedly different side effects.
In late 2017, visible synthetic
cannabinoid use in the town centre of
Worksop, Nottinghamshire led to
serious concerns being raised by elected
council members, shopkeepers and
others. Increased levels of anti-social
behaviour and crime were being linked
to synthetic cannabinoids and the result
was a call for a multi-agency response,
funded by Bassetlaw District Council
and the office of the Nottinghamshire
police and crime commissioner (PCC).
This multi-agency project came to be
known as Project Steppingstones.
Project Steppingstones started with
a process to identify the individuals in
most need of support. Information
gathering was co-ordinated by
Bassetlaw DC with support from
Change Grow Live (CGL), the social care
team at Nottinghamshire County
Council, the police, probation services,
DWP and local NHS mental health
teams. Secure protocols for information
sharing were put in place, and 40
people with longstanding connections
to Worksop were identified – all
40 were displaying signs of
problematic Spice use, and some
were sleeping rough.
Bassetlaw DC then
constructed detailed profiles of
the 40 individuals, which
highlighted multiple long-term
vulnerabilities including repetitive
low level offending and antisocial
behaviour, as well as physical and
mental trauma often linked to
childhood experiences. These
profiles would form the basis of
an individualised programme of
support.
The aim of the project was
clearly defined from the outset –
to support the identified cohort
to make positive changes in their
lives by reducing their substance
misuse, improving their mental
Adfam and London Friend are offering much-needed support to families whose
loved ones are experiencing chemsex addiction, as Robert Stebbings explains
AN INNOVATIVE NEW PROJECT FROM
LONDON FRIEND AND ADFAM is piloting
support for families, partners and friends of people
that are engaging problematically in chemsex. Three
new face-to-face support groups are starting this
month in London, while an online information
resource will soon be available and free to download.
Chemsex is the use of drugs during sex to
enhance an uninhibited experience. It predominantly
takes place between men in the gay community and
the drugs typically involved are methamphetamine,
mephedrone and GHB/GBL. Sometimes the drugs are
injected, known as ‘slamming’.
It can encourage risky behaviours such as
condomless sex and sharing needles, putting people
in danger of HIV or other sexually transmitted
infections. There is also the evident risk of drug use
combined with sexual activity reducing people’s
ability to keep themselves safe, while there is also the
significant risk of overdose when using GHB.
10 | drinkanddrugsnews | September 2018
Supporting a friend, partner, or family member
affected by problematic alcohol or drug use can be
difficult, including when a loved one is engaging in
chemsex. It can have a hugely detrimental impact on
the wellbeing of affected others, whether that’s
families, partners or friends.
London Friend’s drug and alcohol service Antidote
already provides lots of support for chemsex users
but there has been no support for partners, friends or
family who are affected by their using. Although
family support groups exist, they are not generally
LGBT specific, and people attending may not feel
comfortable talking about a same-sex partner, or
about sensitive issues such as chemsex. People often
become increasingly isolated, with nowhere to turn.
This important intervention will provide those
affected with the specific support they need and the
space to meet and share with others affected by this
issue, who can properly associate with what they are
going through.
To achieve this we are piloting three different
groups: a weekly group for parents (six weeks); a
weekly group for friends/partners (six weeks); and a
monthly informal drop-in (four sessions). All sessions
are hosted by London Friend at 86 Caledonian Road,
King’s Cross, London N1 9DN.
If you are based in or close to London and
interested in attending one of these groups and
would like to find out more, visit our website:
www.adfam.org.uk/our-work/supporting-
families/chemsex or get in touch with
[email protected].
Robert Stebbings is policy and communications
assistant at Adfam
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com