There has been quite a bit of hype surrounding spice recently. I am referring to the legal cannabis substitute, not the stuff we cook with.

According to the tabloids, spice was a Major Contributory Factor in the seizure and near death of a movie star not long separated from her young husband…

The brand “Spice” was released in 2004 by the now-dormant company The Psyche Deli in London.
However, legal highs have been bandied around for much longer.

This synthetic form of cannabis is a definite and growing concern for substance misuse treatment providers on an international scale; particularly in prisons. As far as I’m aware, the main reason for the growing popularity of spice is that there is no specific means of testing for it. Spice doesn’t show up on MDT’s (Mandatory Drug Tests) so it is a ‘safe’ way to get out of it without being captured by the Powers That Are.

Those of you that are practitioners in the Treatment Field are abundantly aware that all drugs have side effects and marijuana (particularly Skunk) is reputed to cause varying degrees of psychosis.

My questions are; how long do we have to wait for:
A, Spice to cause deaths in prison?
B, The Prison Service to develop a means of testing for the psycho-active properties of spice?

An old rumour from prison that is sometimes supported by Healthcare Professionals is that MDT’s have encouraged ‘weed smokers’ to develop class A habits in jail because they are detectable for a shorter amount of time (e.g. Heroin 24 to 48 hours).

As yet, spice remains undetectable. However, the active ingredient in cannabis (T.H.C. Tetrahydrocannabinol.) is detectable for up to 28 days!

Believe it or not, out of the near 89,000 people in prison today, almost all of them don’t enjoy getting caught; and a significant number of prisoners use illicit substances to escape the monotony of an oppressive regime that can include: bullying, extortion, unhygienic living conditions, little prospect of gainful employment on release, acute desolation, a lack of purposeful activity and so on.

Spice attracts young people to the ‘slippery path’ as do alco-pops and the lack of appropriate education. In the North America the craze has become more popular than sneakers!
We know all too well that trends cross the ocean quicker than a Concorde with large fries.
So is the future bleak or is there something we can do? R.S.V.P.

Open to professionals interested in the work of Nilaari in the community.

Find out what we do, how people can access our services, exactly what services we can provide and meet our friendly staff

Refreshments provided

Call Rupa 0n 0117 952 5742 to book a place

Over the years our experience has shown that Black Asian & Minority Ethnic communities (BAME) often feel excluded from existing services as people from those communities are more likely to use stimulants such as crack and cocaine.  The Phambili programme was designed to encourage and engage such groups.

Other stimulants include amphetamines i.e. speed, met amphetamines and ecstasy.

The programme addresses stimulant addiction using a psychosocial approach.  This enables participants to focus on their underlying problems, explore alternative ways of coping and identify problem solving techniques to replace destructive behaviour patterns related to their drug use.

Every effort is made to engage women on to the programme.

Service users contribute to the development of this service by giving written and verbal feedback, which is then used to shape future programmes.

Phambili means to move forward

At Nilaari we offer person centred counselling as well as other approaches to working with individuals effectively.   Common counselling approaches used are:-

• Solution Focussed Brief Therapy,
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing.

The counselling provided by Nilaari is done in partnership with the Bristol Drugs Project and CAAAD.
Referrals into the counselling service can be made by: -

• GP’s
• Mental health professionals
• Housing
• Shared Care (drug workers based in GP surgeries),
• CJIT (criminal justice intervention workers)
• Drug & alcohol services

Counsellors are from a range of backgrounds and where possible; clients are able to see a counsellor of their choice e.g. Black counsellor.  A number of different venues are used to deliver this service.

The counselling service is also available to anyone affected by someone else’s drug use.

If you feel you might benefit from counselling and would like to talk to someone please call us on (0117) 952 5742

We recognise that the first weeks and months after release from prison holds severe risk of relapse and reoffending behaviour for individuals.  We work with service users to develop personal strategies to prevent relapse and reoffending by offering;-

• One to one key working
• Developing a personal action plan
• Working in partnership with relevant services like Probation
• Signposting to relevant services such as housing and benefit services

Many individuals leave prison with inadequate support and fall back into criminal activity.  Resettling individuals leaving prison is one of the most effective ways of tackling crime by preventing reoffending.

Criminal Justice Intervention Work

We work with the Criminal Justice Intervention Team (CJIT) to offer treatment to service users who have been arrested and tested positive for class A drugs.

Nilaari works with individuals who are supervised by the probation service for example those on community orders or licences.

To refer to any of our services please telephone (0117) 952 5742

We use a person centred holistic approach that includes looking at areas such as mental and physical health, cultural and environmental factors and addressing social isolation.  Nilaari is aware that some service users benefit from accessing advocacy enabling them to deal with problems that have developed whilst misusing substances.

Substance misuse and mental illness are chronic relapsing conditions and treatment occurs over years rather than only episodically or during crisis.  Drake et al. (1993). Nilaari strives to engage individuals with a co-existing mental health and substance misuse problem (dual diagnosis).

Concerned others are offered advice and referrals can be made to other supporting agencies able to help with their specific needs.

If you feel one-to-one key working would help you or someone you know please telephone 0117 952 5742

BAME individuals who themselves have experienced drug and alcohol issues run a weekly out-of-hours drop-in service on Fridays from 6 – 8 pm at Nilaari.

The service known as Off the Line offers

• a safe and supportive space where individuals can chill
• light refreshments
• a listening ear
• clean clothing
• access to computer
• free condoms
• sign posting to treatment services

Nilaari supports and supervises the volunteers who deliver this service.

Off the Line is funded by Safer Bristol and all volunteers are members of the User Feedback Organisation (UFO) and its BAME sub group Mushwera.

Mushwera is an Arabic word for community based action group.

Training

Nilaari has over 11 years experience working with marginalised groups in the South West region. All our training packages can be tailored to meet the needs of your group or organisation.

Stimulants Awareness Training

Skilled practitioners deliver stimulant awareness training.
Key topics include: -

1. Understanding stimulant use
2. Facts about stimulant
3. Health effects
4. Physiology and neurology
5. Specific treatment interventions

General Drug Awareness

This basic half-day drug awareness course will cover

1. Risks & effects
2. Routes of administration
3. Ways of reducing harm
4. The law
5. Treatment options

Diversity

Trainers who are willing to share their experiences as a means of facilitating learning deliver the course.  The program is designed to explore attitudes to difference in a safe and respectful setting. Individuals and groups will gain an understanding and confidence around working with diverse groups.

Key learning points includes to

• Examine how stereotyping can lead to infective communication

* Nurture the potential found in diversity

Please contact us on (0117) 952 5742 to receive course costs and asks questions on any aspects of the booking procedure or course outlined.