The views of Cheshire West and Chester residents on the impacts of drugs and alcohol

Healthwatch Cheshire West were commissioned by the local public health department to gather insight on the experiences of people with drug and alcohol problems and how their family and friends were impacted. shares the experiences of people in Cheshire West and Chester, who have been impacted by drugs and/or alcohol.  They used a variety of methodologies to speak to 390 people.

The report found that alcohol and cocaine were the most commonly used substances and that cannabis and ketamine are on the rise amongst the under 25’s.

 It was evident that many aspects of a person’s life is affected once substance use takes hold. Relationships, finances, mental health and physical health were the areas impacted the most, both for individuals and friends and family. Friends and family were often impacted first, the user unaware of the detrimental effect their behaviour was having on those around them. 

Comments on the help and support the person received were mixed and appeared to be dependent on where they were on their own journey. Many saw the benefit of peer support, and when the time was right, others a made full recovery thanks to the support of services and specialist groups. At a community level, the most significant impacts felt by respondents were antisocial behaviour, people being afraid to walk through certain areas and verbally aggressive behaviour. Certain locations in Cheshire West and Chester were noted as being more problematic than others, with people living in these areas being more directly impacted. 

Most shared their ideas for change and how the harm caused by drugs and/or alcohol use could be reduced, based on their own experiences. Their suggestions and views shaped the report's recommendations, helping to put people at the heart of decision making.