Drugs Advisory Service

The following organisations help those who have a problem related to illegal drugs or volatile substances.

Please contact them if you think they can help you. (All services are confidential)

• Your G.P. (family doctor)
• National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600
• Re-Solv Helpline (volatile substance misuse) 0808 800 2345
• Tackling Drugs

Help in Torbay

Shrublands House is the South Devon Community Drug & Alcohol  Service.  It comprises a team of health and social care professionals who offer help and advice to people who are concerned about their drug/alcohol use.

The service consists of community alcohol team, a community drug team and a criminal justice team.

Referrals

• Criminal Justice Team
  The Police and/or Probation identify those eligible for treatment.  These treatments are delivered by:  "Drug Arrest Referral", "Drug Treatment and Testing Order" and "Prolific Offender" team members.
• Community Drug Team
  All referrals for treatment are directed to the Triage Team hosted by EDP South Devon Drug Service.  Those suitable for Shrublands treatment will be allocated by this Triage Team.
• Shared Care Team
  Specially trained GPs identify suitable clients for treatment by themselves.  Referral for assessment and/or support is made by a GP to the Shared Care Nurse.
• Couples and Families Service
  This service accepts referrals from Shrublands Teams as well as EDP South Devon Drug Service.  In addition, other professionals such as GPs and Social Workers can make referrals.
• Blood Borne Viruses Clinic
  Testing for blood borne viruses and vaccination against Hepatitis B is available every Wednesday afternoon.  No appointment is necessary and this service can also be accessed by individuals who are not currently in treatment with Shrublands House.

Services Provided

• Assessment
• Drug- and alcohol-related medical assessments
• consultancy for professionals
• substitute prescribing (e.g. Methadone)
• home and residential detox
• motivational interviewing
• group work
• psychological therapy
• couple and family therapy
• Hepatitis B vaccinations
• Hepatitis C testing
• liaison with, and referral on to relevant agencies
• referrals for residential rehabilitation

Equal Opportunities

Shrublands Hosue is committed to ensuring equal access to relevant and appropriate services for the whole population, regardless of age, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, disability or area of residence.

Prioritisation

Clients of the drug services are assessed on an individual basis and enter treatment according to prioritised criteria.  This may affect how quickly an individual who is seeking drug treatment can be seen.

Key Worker

Upon entering treatment, a client is allocated a key worker.  This will be his/her personal drug or alcohol worker.  Meetings will take place on a regular basis.  The key worker will

• oversee treatment
• try and help the client to understand his/her problems and help to see how they can be addressed
• support the client in setting and achieving treatment goals
• advise of other sources of help that may be available.

Venue

Most people are seen at Shrublands House.  Under special circumstances, home visits may be arranged but it is usual for people to be seen at health service premises in their locality if Shrublands House is not the venue.

Emergencies

Shrublands does not provide an emergency service.  Emergencies are best dealt with by a GP, the Out of Hours GP Service or the Accident and Emergency Department.