This covers everyone, including management, staff, the user committee, volunteers and the clients. Training is also seen to be important for both staff and the user committee as is the maintenance of a safe environment through firm adherence to fair rules and boundaries. There have been painful learning experiences. There has also been resistance to integration from a minority of clients, staff and other professionals who fear change and breaking from tradition. Resistance came more from alcohol clients than drug clients apparently, possibly due to the image of drug use in the media, which is often graphic and focuses on the spread of disease and crime etc.
Some clients are very sensitive to any perceived favouritism towards one or other group.
Keeping the groups separate often bred ill feeling and resentment, so all groups are open to all comers. Equality and fairness from staff and management are critical. Evaluation of the service so far has shown that alcohol and drug users do integrate in day care and groups and on the whole there is a high level of mutual acceptance between client groups. This seems to be because alcohol and drug clients have similar needs and benefit from the same programme of activities and are able to learn from each other s experiences. The large majority of clients, staff and management are in favour of continued integration and because of the reduction in overheads more services and options are available for clients.