The local authority have partnered with the NHS, police officers, prisons, children’s services and the third sector to address the increasing problem.
In just two days’ time, the new Leeds Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2025-2030, which has been drafted by the Leeds Drug and Alcohol Partnership, will be presented to leaders at the Health and Wellbeing Board.
The document lays bare the supremely real challenges the city is experiencing as well as significant achievements so far in reducing substance harm. One example comes from Jules, a 52-year-old dad of three who has now been sober for two years after previously using drugs for half of his life.
Jules, who even spent time in prison for dealing drugs, details how ‘life improved exponentially’ for him once he began accessing support from the city’s recovery services. Since obtaining abstinence in 2023, Jules has become a peer mentor with Leeds’ drug and alcohol service Forward Leeds and recovery hub 5 Ways.
‘I used drugs, on and off, for 25 years. But when I did something different and engaged with the services and did some work on myself, that’s when my life improved exponentially,’ Jules said. ‘5 Ways is a wonderful place – everyone is rooting for you, staff and clients. I just want to help people get clean. I know what hell is when you’re going through that ‘Groundhog Day’ of drug using. It’s relentless. If I can shine a bright light on someone that there is a way out, then I feel like I’ve achieved something.’
However, while Jules’ story has a happy ending, there is still a lot of work to do in the Northern city. The new strategy reveals between 2022 and 2024, there have been an average of nearly 300 preventable deaths from alcohol-related conditions per year and over 60 preventable drug-related deaths per year.
Estimates also suggest there are over 10,000 alcohol-dependent adults in Leeds and over 5,000 opiate and/or crack cocaine users.
Meanwhile, on a more positive note, the number of individuals seeking help is on the rise. The strategy shows there has been a 19% increase in young people getting treatment between March 2022 and September 2024, alongside a 9% increase in adults.
Cllr Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Equality, Health and Wellbeing, said: ‘This strategy paves the way for Leeds to continue to be a compassionate city that works with individuals, families and communities to prevent drug and alcohol harms and to provide outstanding treatment and support.
‘We will continue to invest in drug and alcohol services and work collaboratively with partners to ensure the strategy’s success and help improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Leeds home.’
On the subject of success, the strategy has outlined six key prioritises for helping people struggling with substance abuse. These include:
- Prevention
- Harm reduction
- Treatment and support
- Social and community harms from substance abuse
- Protecting children, young people and families
- Recovery
‘Substance use affects a large number of people – not just those who use drugs and alcohol but also their families, loved ones, carers, wider communities, and services and businesses in the city,’ Victoria Eaton, Cllr Director of Public Health added. ‘We’re incredibly grateful to the people, like Jules, who gave us their time and honesty in sharing their experiences to help shape the strategy and create clear aims upon which to focus our work in the years to come.’
The strategy is set to be discussed on Thursday 20th March and can be accessed in full here.
Image: Leeds City Council
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