Context Drug Related Deaths History of Drug Alert Systems in WM - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Drug Alert Systems & Professional Information Systems 24 th January 2018 Tony Mercer Health Improvement Manager (Alcohol and other Drugs)

Context • Drug Related Deaths • History of Drug Alert Systems in WM • Changing Drug Use Trends 2

Drug Alert System uses consistent and efficient processes to share and assess information and issue warnings when appropriate so that high-quality & effective information rapidly reaches the right people 3

Evidence • The Information, Education, Communication (IEC) approach, based on social cognitive theory and with information at its core • Messages should be credible, accurate and tailored to specific target groups • The barriers to an effective Drug Alert System include lag-time of publication, methodological complexity, the danger of raising false alarms, and knowledge being “trapped” within agencies • Essential components of an effective Drug Alert System have been identified as inter-agency networks for gathering qualitative reports and disseminating alerts in a timely fashion, and mechanisms for engaging with members of drug using communities 4

Evidence • Interpersonal communication is more effective in changing behaviour • Involving drug users in the creation of public health messages that target peers has been shown to be effective • NPS users should be viewed as consumers of a product and drug alerts as consumer safety information that may empower them to promote responsible use and develop their own ‘smart’ drug user subcultures • Young people use social networks to promote and warn about new and/or novel drugs 5

Drug Alert System PIN LDIS 6

Drug Alert System • DPH responsibility • Governance arrangements • LDIS co-ordinator • LDIS panel • Mailbox & templates • Communication, dissemination and media protocols • Professional Information Network (PIN) 7

Scope “Any dangerous, new and/or novel, potent, adulterated or contaminated substances regardless of their legal status” Overlaps with: • Trading Standards (alcohol) • Health Protection (biological contamination e.g. anthrax or botulism) • Police • NHS National Patient Safety Alerting System (OTC and prescribed medications) 8

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