Alcohol and drug officer keen to see talk on reducing stigma turn into ‘real change’
A CALL has been made for discussion on reducing stigma on alcohol and drug use to “turn into action”.
NHS Shetland’s alcohol and drug development officer Wendy Henderson said it is not an exaggeration to say “stigma kills”.
She told a meeting of Shetland’s integration joint board on Thursday that people suffering from stigma, or who have a fear of being stigmatised, can be put off from seeking general health support.
This can lead to health conditions not getting the attention they require – with potential “dire consequences”.
Henderson told the IJB that stigma is one of the “biggest challenges” in terms of delivering on the alcohol and drugs strategy.
She said it can societal, professional or “self stigma”.
Henderson praised discussion locally on stigma but said the key thing is turning that “into action and real change”.
She explained that stigma can be a barrier to support on substance use, or barrier to recovery.
Accessing universal services can be a “real challenge”, the meeting heard, due to stigma or fear of stigma – meaning that “very treatable” health conditions can be left untreated.
Meanwhile Thursday’s meeting also heard that officials continue to look into the further roll-out of potentially life-saving overdose medication Naloxone.
It is available in Shetland from the Recovery Hub in Pitt Lane as well as the substance misuse recovery service, which operates within NHS Shetland’s mental health department in Lerwick Health Centre.
Board members were also told that the Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs group can distribute take-home kits to people directly.
Shetland Alcohol and Drug Partnership’s website can be found here.
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