Our Impact: Breaking the stigma around drug and alcohol use
Our work contributed to the design of a new website at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/endstigma to help people understand that drug and/or alcohol dependence is not a choice - it is a health condition. It also signposts to support services for those who need them.
People told us they wanted to see real people telling their stories to break the stigma, so a You Tube video of local people sharing their recovery journeys -Ending Stigma - Hertfordshire’s message of hope has also been created.
Last year the Council commissioned us to gather people’s views about the stigma surrounding drug and alcohol use. More than 100 people spoke with us and told us the most effective way to help would be to feature conversations with real people in news articles and videos, social media posts, website information, posters and online workshops.
These views were fed back to Public Health, who used the comments and insights we gathered to develop key messages used in the campaign to maximise impact and reach.
Check out the full campaign and related information at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/endstigma
We have produced a range of reports looking at improving access to, and the support provided by, drug and alcohol services. Our recommendations are already being incorporated into action plans by Public Health.
Read more by clicking one of the links below:
