Transcript Drugs Action

Drugs Action
Women involved in prostitution in
Aberdeen -
Meeting the Needs
Overview
• Background information
• The current scene in Aberdeen
• Drug Action services
• Crack use and prostitution
• Crack use and service implications
• Future service developments
Background Information
• The harbour area is a traditional area for street
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prostitution in Aberdeen.
Grampian Police currently operates a
management zone.
Drugs Action has been providing a street
outreach service for 12 years.
The drop-in centre opened in 2004
The onset of Crack Cocaine use in Aberdeen was
linked to street prostitution.
Crack cocaine use in Grampian now accounts for
40% of the total national use.
The Current Scene in Aberdeen
• Grampian Police & Drugs Action estimate
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numbers between 100 – 150 street workers.
Approximately 95% are dependent drug users.
Crack cocaine use is commonly reported as a
secondary drug with heroin remaining the main
drug of choice.
Approximately 12.5% of the women are
residents.
Drugs Action Services
‘Keeping safe, stabilising and moving on’
•Street
outreach
•Drop in
•Individual
counselling/follow-up
Stage 1 – Establishing trust and delivering
immediate interventions
Stage 2 - Improving awareness of problems and
options for change
Stage 3 - Supporting people to make and
maintain change
Crack cocaine use and prostitution
• The appeal of crack
• Patterns of use
• Street safety
• Increase in BBV risk behaviour
• Mental health issues
Crack cocaine and service
implications
• Immediate service
• Staff attitudes and knowledge
• Access to complimentary therapies
• Intensive one to one support
• Medical interventions
Future Service Developments
• Secure funding to extend and enhance the
drop-in service
• Increase capacity for follow-up support
• Provision of medical services at the dropin
• Develop links between the women and
Grampian Police
• Provision of complementary therapies
Drugs Action
Luan Bruce
7 Hadden Street
Aberdeen
Tel.: 01224 577120
Email: [email protected]