Experience of NPS Use in Prisons and Amongst Homeless People Sunny Dhadley FRSA CMgr Wednesday 25 th January 2017
Who are SUIT? • Peer led Recovery/SUI/Citizenship/Advocacy organisation (est. 2007) • 2.4% local budget allocation (D&A, Public Health - Wolverhampton) • 3 X Staff, 10 X Volunteers (Queens Award for Voluntary Service Recipients in June 2014) • In 2015/16 SUIT supported 953 vulnerable individuals (inc. in-reach & outreach), delivering 4266 interventions across 63 areas of need (SM, Homelessness, Criminality, MH, Immigration, Debt etc..) • Collaborated with 522 organisations/agencies to meet individual need • Strategic Involvement and Influencing Role ( 122 Meetings/Events in 15/16)
NPS in Prison & Homelessness – Key Considerations • Synthetic Cannabis is the most widely used NPS (Mamba/Spice) • Substance use in often a symptom rather than cause • Most people using NPS are historical users of some other form of substance(s) • Black market acquisition – illicit product range extended to inc. NPS • Internet purchasing is much less prominent within these cohorts • “ While I was inside a guy made £79K selling NPS within 3 months ” . 15/01/2017 • NPS use is one of a range of barriers that those in prison & homeless people face – cumbersome service access/alignment, indebtedness, mental health, belief systems, societal prejudices, normalisation, low aspirations etc. • Inability of treatment services to effectively understand/tackle NPS use • Competence of staff • Inconsistent community connection (particularly for prison releases)
Reclassification of Spice/Mamba (23/01/17) “The drugs are believed to be “The reclassification follows commonly used, particularly expert advice from the among young people and Advisory Council on the those who are vulnerable, Misuse of Drugs on the and many people could harms associated with these unwittingly be committing an substances which are similar offence, unaware of the to drugs already controlled change in legislation”. under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 .” The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has been changed to include synthetic cannabinoids, a substance which mimics the effects of cannabis and are more commonly known as Spice and Mamba. https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/latest-news/news.aspx?Id=5341
Effects of NPS Use • Synthetic Cannabinoid Effects -: Within Prison, there are reports of -: • Rapid Heart Rate • Used for entertainment purposes • Vomiting • ‘5 drag challenge’ • Violent Behaviour • Punishment • Suicidal Thoughts Physical • Initiations and • Difficulty concentrating • Economy Psychological • Lack of emotional attachment • ‘ Mambulance ’ Visits • Psychotic episodes • Passing the time! • Seizures • Withdrawal • Therefore it can be difficult to -: • Create an effective joint care plan • Impart harm reduction messages Chills, Cravings, Headaches, Insomnia • Advocate for someone Anorexia, Inner Unrest, Nightmares, Hallucinations • Offer a rapid follow up appointment
In/Effective Strategies Holistic Approach/ Flexibility Overpromise Criminalisation Ownership Unrealistic Reliance Upon Others Timescales Peer Support
Cross Cutting Issues • Employability (& criminal records) • Social Exclusion/Inequality • Racism and Xenophobia • Drug Laws • Poverty/Hunger • Substandard Living Conditions • Violence & Corruption • Media & Propaganda • Austerity Measures • Fractured Systems • Exploitation
Key Agencies
Useful Resources • Health Responses to NPS (EMCDDA) http://www.emcdda.europa.eu/publications/rapid- communications/nps-responses • PHE NPS Toolkit for Commissioners - http://www.nta.nhs.uk/uploads/nps-a-toolkit-for- substance-misuse-commissioners.pdf • PHE Toolkit for Prison Staff - http://www.nta.nhs.uk/uploads/nps-manual-final.pdf • Huck Article – ‘True Face of Drugs Crisis in UK Prisons’ ( 11th January 2017) - http://www.huckmagazine.com/perspectives/reportage-2/britains-prison-drug-crisis- ruining-lives/ • The Drugs Wheel - http://www.thedrugswheel.com/ • NPS Further Information - http://www.drugwise.org.uk/new-psychoactive-substances/ • Home Office NPS Resource Pack - https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new- psychoactive-substances-nps-resource-pack • BBC Drugs Map of Britain – Episode One ‘Wolverhampton: Getting off Mamba’ - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07tlxt4
Sunny Dhadley FRSA CMgr SUIT Manager Founder & Director of The Recovery Foundation CIC sdhadley@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk @SUITeam www.suiteam.com
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