Posted on Thursday 25th April 2024
Mike Wilcox
Residents struggling with drug and alcohol issues in Staffordshire are set to benefit from a new partnership between the council and the NHS.
Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery System (STaRS) which supports people experiencing difficulties with drugs and alcohol, will now be run by Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT) in partnership with Staffordshire County Council.
STaRS will also continue to work with BAC O’Connor and Betterway Recovery and Chase Recovery to help adults and young people who need support with drug and alcohol use.
STaRS provide a confidential, free and easy-to-access service to anyone living in Staffordshire affected by their use of alcohol and drugs, including:
• Online and in person support
• Prescribing methadone and needle exchange
• Harm reduction interventions and relapse prevention
• Treatment for alcohol dependencies
• Referral for detoxification
• Hepatitis (Hep) C screening and treatment
• Hep B vaccinations
• Online self-help guides
Inclusion, the specialist service within MPFT, responsible for leading STaRS, has introduced a new online self-referral form where anyone can get in touch with the service, removing barriers for those who do not feel comfortable picking up the phone.
Mike Wilcox, Cabinet Member for Health and Care at Staffordshire County Council, said:
It’s vital local health and care services work together to help people through difficult times in their lives, and this partnership offers a more efficient, joined up service for the people who need our help.
I’m excited to see the difference our drugs and alcohol treatment partnership can make to Staffordshire, in particular to drive quality, especially in support of picking up those that are in danger of falling between services in the past such as neuro diverse and dual diagnosis service users, allowing them to also engage and capitalise on the excellent work that is going on in Staffordshire.
Treatment and recovery services remain at the same locations across Staffordshire, with the same friendly faces, so please do get in touch if you need help addressing your relationship with drugs and alcohol.”
Danny Hames, Head of MPFT’s Inclusion services, said:
People experiencing what are often complex issues with drugs and alcohol in Staffordshire will benefit from the expertise Inclusion provides, as part of MPFT, to provide high quality treatment through STaRS.
Inclusion already provide a number of effective drug and alcohol treatment services across England, and working together with the county council this allows us to draw on all expertise and resources across Staffordshire’s health and care systems.”
If you are concerned and looking for some advice or support, please call 0300 124 0356 or refer yourself online at www.staffstars.org