New focus on drugs and alcohol harm in Brighton

A local drugs charity praised the move

A plan to tackle drugs use and abuse of alcohol in Brighton is being rolled out.

Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC) said the strategy aimed to reduce harm, save lives and change attitudes.

This would be achieved by shifting demand for drugs and alcohol, improving treatment and recovery services, and reducing the availability of drugs, it added.

Just under half of adults (44%) in the city drink at levels outside the low risk category, according to BHCC.

Drug-related deaths and harmful alcohol use are "notably" both above the England average, it continued.

'Compassionate approach'

Stephen McCulloch, executive director at the charity WithYou, told the BBC it was "great to see" local authorities like BHCC taking the issue seriously.

"It is only by recognising the root causes of why people have challenges with drugs and alcohol, taking a compassionate and non-judgemental approach, and investing in treatment and recovery services, that we will tackle this public health crisis," he said.

Oasis Project, a specialist drug and alcohol treatment service in Brighton and Hove, also welcomed the new strategy.

"As active members of Brighton & Hove's Combatting Drugs Partnership, we are working hard with our partners to implement the strategy and especially to ensure it meets the unique needs of women using alcohol and drugs - and their families," a spokesperson for the charity said.

They added that the plan was a "vital step toward reducing the stigma and service barriers" people often face when seeking help with drugs and alcohol.

BHCC councillor Mitchie Alexander said the strategy was about understanding the "whole person, not just the symptoms".

"We know that drugs and alcohol can and do devastate lives, but we also know that with the right support, people can and do recover," he added.