This page presents the East Riding Drugs Partnership 2024 needs assessment, a comprehensive review of data (local and national) and literature related to the East Riding’s drug treatment population, drug-related deaths and harm, harm-reduction interventions, intersectional needs, co-occurring mental health services, community voices, and drug-related crime. The findings aim to inform action and further research by the East Riding Drugs Partnership.

The East Riding is generally achieving positive outcomes compared to the England average, with half of new presentations to treatment successfully completing their treatment and not re-presenting within six months However, there are areas of unmet or unknown need that require further attention. A key focus is the association between drug-related harms and structural inequalities, with higher rates of hospital admissions for drug poisoning and non-fatal overdoses in the most deprived wards compared to the least deprived wards. The needs assessment emphasises the importance of holistic support to reduce these harms and improve health outcomes.

The recommendations provided in the document (from page 2) are based on the key findings and aim to address specific identified needs and targeted responses, they will also inform the East Riding Drugs Partnership strategy. A brief synopsis of each can be found directly below.

1. Reduce unmet need: The East Riding has higher rates of unmet substance use treatment needs for opiates and crack use compared to the England averages. There is a need for greater treatment awareness, capacity, and engagement, especially among males.
2. Enhance harm reduction offer and uptake: Specific and targeted harm-reduction approaches are needed, such as increasing engagement with criminal justice clients and improving awareness and uptake of blood-borne virus vaccinations.
3. Support young people: New presentations to young people’s drug treatment are low, and unmet needs are higher among young people than adults. Strengthening referral pathways from various points of the system, such as schools or families, might help reduce unmet needs.
4. Incorporate lived experience: It is important to include the voices of individuals with lived experience of substance use in the actions taken by the partnership.
5. Understand and support additional needs: The predominant population engaged with treatment services consists of an increasing cohort of people aged 45+ with complex health and social care needs. Treatment services need to be adapted to cope with age-specific demands and complexities.
6. Embed non-fatal overdose pathways: Supporting individuals into treatment following an overdose may help protect against the risk of subsequent fatal overdoses. More targeted approaches are necessary to address the association between deprivation and increased risk of drug-related harm.
7. Support people with co-occurring mental health and substance use: There is a need to investigate why people with identified mental health needs are not accessing mental health support and to share insights from staff and treatment providers.