This service focuses on the social dimension and, while there is effective liaison and referral between that service and the statutory drug service, they do operate from different premises. The challenge ADS faces in the future is when they relocate to larger premises and address even greater integration of clinical and non-clinical services. As ADS already had a long and well established alcohol service in Bolton it was decided to integrate the day care element of both drug and alcohol services with the main objective of providing a greater range of groups and activities through pooling resources. The service is staffed by two drug project workers, two alcohol project workers, an administrator and 15 volunteers and sessional workers. The project workers undertake counselling and individual casework with their respective client groups.
All groups are accessible to all clients and all staff contribute to their delivery.
The service users have their own committee and constitution, with representation from both drug and alcohol clients. The committee organises fund-raising, social and leisure activities and acts as a vehicle for dialogue between clients and management. Jon felt that there were a number of keys to successful integration. The first of these was consultation. This took place with the users committee, other client meetings, staff meetings, staff away-days and team meetings and with other agencies via a steering group and planning meetings.