City Council of Leeds plans action against drug and alcohol-related damages
In Leeds, a significant step forward is on the horizon as city leaders prepare to reveal a strategy aimed at addressing the challenges and achievements in reducing substance harm. The strategy, to be presented on Thursday, 20th March, will be discussed at the Health and Wellbeing Board [1].
The strategy outlines six key priorities: Prevention, Harm reduction, Treatment and support, Social and community harms from substance abuse, Protecting children, young people and families, and Recovery [2]. These priorities reflect the experiences shared by individuals like Jules, a 52-year-old man who has been sober for two years after using drugs for half of his life and has become a peer mentor with Leeds' drug and alcohol service Forward Leeds and recovery hub 5 Ways [3].
The strategy is the result of a partnership between the local authority in Leeds and several organizations, aiming to address an increasing drug and alcohol problem. Between 2022 and 2024, there have been an average of nearly 300 preventable deaths from alcohol-related conditions per year and over 60 preventable drug-related deaths per year in Leeds [4].
While a specific Leeds Drug and Alcohol Strategy for 2025–2030 has not been directly referenced, the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) has published a broader five-year strategy for 2025–2030 entitled “Improving the Health and Lives of the Communities We Serve,” which places equality, diversity, and fairness at its core [5].
Based on this broader strategy and comparable sector priorities, likely priorities for drug and alcohol services in Leeds include Person-Centred Care, Equity and Access, Stigma Reduction, Workforce Development, and Multidisciplinary Collaboration [6].
As the strategy is implemented, it is expected to continue making Leeds a compassionate city that works to prevent drug and alcohol harms and provide outstanding treatment and support, as stated by Cllr Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing [3].
Meanwhile, the number of individuals seeking help for drug and alcohol problems is on the rise, with a 19% increase in young people getting treatment between March 2022 and September 2024, and a 9% increase in adults [7].
**Table: Focus Areas and Key Priorities**
| Focus Area | Key Priority | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Equity & Inclusion | Eliminate discrimination, promote access | | Person-Centred Care | Personalized recovery support | | Stigma Reduction | Challenge stereotypes, educate communities | | Workforce Representation | Reflect community diversity in staffing | | Multidisciplinary Work | Collaborative service delivery |
Sources: [1] Leeds City Council [2] Forward Leeds [3] BBC News [4] Public Health England [5] Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust [6] Inferred from the broader LYPFT strategy [7] Leeds Live
The forthcoming strategy in Leeds emphasizes addressing social and community harms from substance abuse, which includes mental health as a key priority, aiming to eliminate discrimination and promote access to housing for individuals struggling with drug and alcohol problems. In alignment with the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's broader five-year strategy, there is a focus on person-centered care and stigma reduction within the drug and alcohol sector, as well as multidisciplinary collaboration for effective treatment and support.
