CAITHNESS DRUG AND ALCOHOL FORUM

Who we are?

Caithness Drug & Alcohol Forum (CDAF) represents the Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnership (HADP) at a locality level. As a Forum we aim to bring together agencies and individuals within the community who are interested in making a difference to substance misuse related issues within their own locality. The membership includes representatives from the community mental health team, public health, primary healthcare, A&E, inpatient services, police, fire, schools, community learning, criminal justice service, voluntary organisations, Highland Council, service users, self-help organisations, and other interested members of the community.

What Do We Do?

CDAF is essentially a network for sharing information and supporting small-scale projects within the locality. The aims and objectives of the Forum are incorporated within a varied action plan that is based upon four broad themes:

• Influencing Cultural Change
• Prevention & Education Measures
• Support & Treatment Services
• Protection, Control, & Availability

Cultural change is a cross cutting theme that is integrated across the other three areas of work. Activities promoted by the Forum include a combination of local, regional, and national initiatives. Examples include raising awareness on drug and alcohol related issues, supporting national campaigns, identifying needs within the locality, helping to find solutions to local problems, and supporting access to activities that offer alternatives to alcohol and drug use.

 Financial Assistance (Small-Bids Scheme)

CDAF also provides small sums (up to £300) to assist agencies and individuals in undertaking small-scale projects that will directly or indirectly help in reducing alcohol and drug misuse within the locality. Please contact the Forum for further information and an application form.

MEETINGS

CDAF meets at least quarterly and in between regular formal meetings sub-groups of members meet to formulate ideas and to implement actions on specific topics. In order to ensure that the Forum is representative of the community we are always looking for new members. Please contact the Forum if you are interested in getting involved or perhaps just want to be kept informed of our activities.

Dates, time and venue for future meetings

Forthcoming Events

 NEWSFLASH!

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL PROJECTS – (see above for details).

Contact us?

Caithness Drug & Alcohol Forum (CDAF)
C/O Caithness Partnership
50A High Street
Wick, KW1 4BS

Tel: 07786295544.
Posted 24.6.08

Drug & Alcohol "Snapshot" Study

The Forum have carried out a study using information gained from the Ultimate ‘Ardrock quiz held on 1st December 2005 at Wick High School. Well over 300 young people attended and each had the opportunity to participate in the quiz. 140 quiz sheets were returned. Out of this 132 were fully completed and the answers were accumulated and are presented in percentage terms over the following pages.

This study was an afterthought due to the high return and does not intend to provideany academical analysis. The questions were based on information that was gained on the evening from the CDAF “High on information” DVD, video drug box, or leaflets and information on display.What it does offer is a snapshot of knowledge of young people in Caithness at this time. We can look at the high correct scores to congratulate the awareness or study the incorrect answers to strengthen the areas where attention needs to be concentrated.