Do not Withdraw funding for Supporting those Affected by Alcohol in Aberdeen
- Target:
- Aberdeen City Council
- Region:
- United Kingdom
- Website:
- www.alcoholsupport.co.uk
Aberdeen City Council intends to cut £140,000 from grants to the Designated Place at Alcohol Support Ltd as part of their overall £27m cuts to services in the city.
The Designated Place at Alcohol Support Ltd forms part of an integrated service providing advice and support to children and adults who are affected by their own or someone else's drinking. This is provided within a residential and counselling environment.
Albyn House accommodated the first Designated Place in Scotland and was opened in 1983. A £250,000 investment was made in 2004 to provide state of the art facilities for a vulnerable group of clients.
It is for persons deemed to be drunk and incapable and is an alternative to being arrested, spending the night in the police cells and a court appearance.
It ensures the safety and well-being of people under the influence of alcohol.
It places emphasis on creating a safe and supportive environment.
It offers higher levels of social inclusion.
It can often provide a "wake-up call" to those who are experiencing difficulties with alcohol and staff can intervene at an early staff to offer support and thus preventing longer term social and health implications.
In 25 years it has received over 20,000 referrals consisting of people of all ages and backgrounds.
Referrals can come from the Police, Cyrenians, the Council's Social Work and Homelessness Sections.
It is no longer just the traditional street drinkers being referred, it is increasingly becoming the consequences of a social night out.
Did you know a night in the cells or Court appearance could effect employment prospects as it could show up in Disclosure Scotland checks?
Aberdeen City Council has taken this action without waiting for the outcome of a review of services which Alcohol Support Ltd is committed to and co-operating with. No alternative provision has been made by them.
Last year, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited the pioneering facility and is keen to see such facilities provided in other Scottish cities. It is unbelievable that Aberdeen City Council want to take a backward step and remove this facility when others are looking to commence them.
www.alcoholsupport.co.uk
We, the undersigned, call upon Aberdeen City Council not to withdraw funding for the vital support provided to a vulnerable client group currently provided by Alcohol Support Ltd.
Designated Places are vital to protect those affected by alcohol. They safely and effectively deal with the unfortunate human consequences of excessive drinking and allows them to be cared for and supported in the right environment.
It is unacceptable that at a time when much effort is being made to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse, that such a valued asset may no longer exist in Aberdeen, and will inevitably lead to greater pressures on public services.
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The Do not Withdraw funding for Supporting those Affected by Alcohol in Aberdeen petition to Aberdeen City Council was written by Alcohol Support Ltd and is in the category Justice at GoPetition.