April 2015 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 11
ExchangE
More good practice stories at
The challenges
facing individuals living
with problematic alcohol and other drug use
and sight-loss have been highlighted in an
innovative study exploring the relationships
between substances and sight problems.
Funded by Thomas Pocklington Trust and
Alcohol Research UK, the study interviewed
individuals who were living with, or had lived
with, problematic substance use and sight loss,
as well as the professionals supporting them.
These interviews highlighted a complex set of
experiences ranging from the use of
substances to cope with sight loss to concerns
about the causal relationship between their
substance use and sight loss. It also highlighted
the potential negative impact on relationships,
family, health, lifestyle and support.
By way of contrast, analysis of the limited
existing data shows that individuals with
sight loss drink less alcohol than their sighted
peers. Substance use appears to contribute
more directly to sight loss in a number of
ways: adverse reactions to medication,
intoxication related injuries or as part of
sustained health deterioration. However,
alcohol and drug use (especially smoking)
appears to be a risk factor for developing
sight-loss related conditions.
This exploratory research indicates the
need for the routine collection of sight loss
and substance use data within specialist
services, and research to more accurately
measure the extent of these problems. It
further highlights the need for information
about substance use to be provided for sight
loss services and vice versa. It also suggests
the need for more training about sight-loss
and joint working with eye specialists for
alcohol and drug professionals.
Wulf Livingstone is a lecturer in social work
at Glynd ^wr University, Wrexham.
Full report at
Seeing the picture
Wulf Livingstone
talks to DDN about an innovative study that
explores the relationship between alcohol, drugs and sight loss
‘Alcohol and
drug use
(especially
smoking)
appears to be
a risk factor for
developing
sight-loss
related
conditions.
At Loudmouth
, we use drama to educate
children and young people across the UK on
how to have safe, healthy and happy lives.
We run programmes on a range of
safeguarding and relationship issues,
including domestic abuse, sexual health and
alcohol and substance misuse.
Drama is a great way to bring issues to
life, and when combined with our workshops
it helps students to have a conversation in a
safe and inclusive environment. We have
two main programmes – One 2 Many for
secondary schools and colleges, and Alco-
Facts for primary schools.
One 2 Many combines information on
units of alcohol and risks to health with
humour and drama, offering situations that
young people can directly relate to. The
drama uses a series of short scenes that
look at issues including binge drinking,
sexual health, drink driving and
relationships. The accompanying workshop
allows young people to unpick what they
have seen and learn where they can go for
support and advice.
Alco-Facts covers basic information
about alcohol and drugs, as well as work on
the effect that parents’ or older siblings’
drinking can have on children. The session
culminates in a quiz, drawing on knowledge
they have gained throughout the
programme. The sessions are aimed at
increasing knowledge of alcohol and where
to go for support, as well as developing
strategies for resisting peer pressure.
Alco-Facts was piloted in Nuneaton and
Bedworth primary schools for the Safer
Communities Partnership, who, along with
the crime commissioner, were keen to
subsidise and promote the programme to
help tackle local drug and alcohol issues. It
is being rolled out in North Warwickshire,
funded by the borough council, and we look
forward to bringing it to many more schools
in the years to come.
Caroline Bridges is business growth
manager at Loudmouth,
Caroline Bridges
shares how Loudmouth’s
drama projects are educating young people
about drug and alcohol issues
‘One 2 Many
combines
information on
units of alcohol
and risks to
health with
humour and
drama...’
Active educAtion
