Issue - meetings

To receive an oral report from the Director of Public Health.

Officers provided details of the Drug Misuse and Alcohol Strategies which would be informed by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).  A number of stakeholder meetings and one to one interviews had taken place.  The Drugs Misuse Strategy would include the supply and use of legal highs including prescribed drugs and over the counter drugs.  The three main themes would be restricting supply, reducing demand and building recovery. 

The Alcohol Harm Strategy had four themes; crime and prevention, reducing harm, effective support service and association with Mental Health issues.  Some of the initial findings were discussed including that a number of young women were unaware that drinking and drugs could cause harm when trying to conceive or when pregnant.

Members stated that health was not currently one of the licensing objectives that could be considered.  This would be useful when agreeing a premises license as conditions on the maximum strength could be applied.  This would need to be a National campaign.

The Sub-Committee noted the update.