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Advocacy

THE ALLIANCE
The Alliance has dedicated members of staff providing advocacy services to users who feel that their needs are not being met by their drug services, their DATs or their GPs.
Initially, users approach the Alliance through the helpline service or once of the Alliance's local advocacy projects. At this stage, advice and information will be given to enable users to approach the services themselves and communicate their needs to them. If this is unsuccessful, the user will be referred to the advocacy service, which will act as a mediator between the parties involved, providing an overview of current pharmaceutical approaches and a balanced assessment of treatment possibilities and what is achievable in any given case. We negotiate between the treatment provider and the drug user to ensure each listens to the other’s concerns with respect. Advocacy cases are usually processed through a combination of correspondence and face to face interventions.
The Alliance is currently engaged in local advocacy development partnerships with Drug and Alcohol Action Teams in Barking and Dagenham, East Sussex, Haringey, Kent, Kirklees, Lambeth, Sefton and Shropshire.  If you are interested in talking with us about local service development, please contact Daren Garratt at daren@m-alliance.org.uk or Ursula Brown at ursula@m-alliance.org.uk.
The helpline can be reached on 0845 122 8608. Email queries can be sent to  info@m-alliance.org.uk

  • RRR
    ReleaseRELEASE

  • Helplinereleasebus.jpg

    Release provides a national advice telephone helpline. Advice is provided in relation to drugs and the law. The helpline is open from 11am—1pm & 2pm—4pm Monday to Friday. A message service is available 24 hours and we will return your call within one business day. All our services are confidential; when calling you do not have to provide any personal details.




    Legal Helpline

    The legal helpline is staffed by qualified lawyers and trained volunteers, who will provide information and advice to the public and professionals. Legal advice is provided on criminal matters; drugs classification; anti social behaviour orders; legal issues pertinent to drugs users such as travelling with prescribed controlled drugs, the impact of criminal convictions and cautions, drug use and its impact on driving requirements. Advice can also be provided on other legal issues — if the legal team cannot assist you with your enquiry, they will provide details of other services that can.

    Representation is not a service offered through the helpline although in some cases where there are issues of public law arising, Release will be able to refer you to lawyers who specialise in this area.

    Drugs Helpline

    Our drug services are managed and run by a team of specialist advisors assisted by trained volunteers.

    The drugs team provides help, advice, information, support and referral to people affected directly and indirectly by drug use.

    We are here to help you. You will be listened to and we will always do our best to give you the appropriate amount of time and most relevant advice for your individual enquiry.

    Your inquiry will be dealt with by someone who understands the issues facing drug users and their family and friends, so you need not feel alone in this. We can link you up with different types of support groups and if you are having difficulty getting treatment, we can help liaise with your local service or GP.

    We provide essential support for professionals and for members of the public who may feel isolated and anxious about a drug-related problem.

    Our aim is to allow people to make informed decisions with confidence.

    The drugs team provides support and advice on a range of issues including advice on the effects on drugs; harm reduction; matters involving drug dependency; different types of treatment including maintenance prescribing and abstinence.

    The drugs team is headed up by one of the UK’s leading experts on all issues relating to heroin use.

    Call NOW: 0845 4500 215

    Web services

    Both the legal team and drugs team can provide advice via email enquiries. The same advice provided on the helpline is provided through ask@release.org.uk

  •  Advocacy

    The Advocacy service offers representation and support to any individual who is accessing Birmingham based treatment services.

    More specifically, if an individual is unhappy with any aspect of the service they have received and would like support in fighting for their rights they should contact the Advocacy Service.

    Freephone Advocacy line 0800 783 7532


      BRISTOL CARE FORUM
    The Vassall Centre
    Gill Avenue
    Fishponds
    Bristol BS16 2QQ
    		Tel: (0117) 965 4444
    Fax: (0117) 965 0200
    Minicom: (0117) 965 0800
    Web: www.thecareforum.org
    email: das@thecareforum.org.uk


                     Drugs Advocacy Service

    “Advocacy is taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need.
    Advocates and advocacy schemes work in partnership with the people they support and take their side. Advocacy promotes social inclusion, equality and social justice” Action for Advocacy

    If you live in Bristol the drugs advocacy service is independent and can help you fight your corner. We can help you with a wide range of issues or complaints you might have with drugs services and your drugs treatment. This could be:
    ·        needle exchange at your local chemist,
    ·         how you get on with your shared care worker,
    ·        whether you’re happy with the dose or kind of substitute medication you’re getting [e.g Methadone or Subutex]
    ·        you’ve just been kicked off your script
    ·        you want to detox more quickly than your worker thinks is wise
    ·        you’re hitting a brick wall with your attempts to get into rehab
    ·        you can’t get on with your DRR
    ·        you’re starting to struggle but are finding it hard talking to your worker because you feel you’re letting them down
    ·        you’ve been kicked out of rehab and want to complain
    ·        you’re agency won’t let you change your worker

          We can help by:
    Ø Helping you write a letter of complaint.
    Ø Talking to your worker on your behalf.
    Ø Attending meetings with you either as moral support or to try to explain your case.
    Ø Contacting services to try to help you get a service.
    Ø Researching what help there is that might suit you.
    Ø Letting you know your rights

    These are just some examples of issues you might have or ways we might be able to help. Please get in touch if you’re not sure if we’re what you need and we’ll try to explain what we do.
National Users' Network Steve, United Kingdom - - Email: nunmanagement@yahoogroups.com
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