Sep 29 - ERG And Stay Clean Launch Joint “Connected Health” Project
The Equality Rights Group (ERG) and Stay Clean have today proposed a holistic network of medical, law enforcement and therapeutic support for addiction and sexual health-related problems.
‘Connected Health’ aims to tackle important public health issues in Gibraltar and widen the debate on drug regulation and legalization as possible options to replace the “war on drugs” approach championed by governments across the world.
‘This Project is a prime example of how Civil Society and Government, by working together, can cooperate and work towards making a positive difference to social health and rights in Gibraltar. And we look forward to that work and collaboration,’ the statement added.
'The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, in an announcement some time back, confirmed an important personal interest and commitment to directing and making headway on controlling the drugs problem in Gibraltar. And we are ready and willing to work with his determination, which we believe he can deliver. The detailed and well-studied proposals which we have put to the CM and the Minister for Health, Dr. Cortes, in a 24-page Report provide a good basis for Connected Health to engage in cooperation with Government. Indeed, the Minister for Health and the GHA are extremely important, key and vital players in making advances on this front, and we are confident our discussions and joint work will be fruitful.
Damian Broton, a founder member of Bruce's Farm, has established ‘Stay Clean’, and he and his organisation have worked with ERG to thoroughly look at two separate but overlapping areas of social concern: addiction and sexual health. They’re not the same, but sometimes both affect the same individual and can be connected.
‘That is why the project goes by the name of ‘Connected Health’,’ said Mr. Broton, ‘because, rather than dealing separately with each area of health, we feel there are many merits to approaching them from a more holistic view. These also imply, we believe, cost and efficiency savings as a result. And there is no doubt that we can all work closely to build on and complement the professionalism and support already provided via Bruce's Farm and staff.’
Chairman Felix Alvarez added: ‘ERG's focus on building Civil Society solidarity in Gibraltar is an important overall goal we set ourselves some years back as an organisation. Now, whether focused on addiction or sexual health issues, it is clear that both concerns share a similar need for positive and open approaches in serving the public. Indeed, the scourges of stigma and fear only heighten the notoriously difficult-to-reach segments of the community who are most likely to be in need of guidance and treatment. In effect, a positive healthy and open approach from the care services goes a very long way to overcoming the barriers those in need of help experience,’ he explained.
‘As community NGOs, then, we therefore both work together to provide leadership, and to instigate, encourage, and elicit leadership from the very top – whether the Chief Minister or the Minister for Health – in really getting to grips with both modernising the services we have, and in looking at the issues concerned straight in the eye in order to make a real and constructive difference.
‘Damian Broton’s Drop-In Centre is already in its early stages of functioning, and as a fully-qualified Counsellor and professional in addiction rehabilitation, Damian and his team have participated alongside ERG in the development of a thorough Report, with its attendant proposals and recommendations, which have now been submitted to both Chief Minister Picardo and Health Minister Dr. Cortes.
‘In terms of drug rehabilitation, Connected Health proposes building on and adding to the Bruce’s Farm services already available, while maintaining the Stay Clean Drop-In Centre as an advocacy NGO in the field which can also provide an on-going before- and after-care service supporting recovery. On-going support downstream is an absolute necessity, not a luxury, if we want people to be able to recover long-term. Stay Clean provides those services and needs to be supported.
‘And in terms of sexual health, promoting and providing a healthy, positive approach to awareness and treatment in the community, not hidden away in fear or shame, is the best way to deal with the issues for what they are: medical, not moral questions.’
Mr. Alvarez went on to explain that 'what makes these overall combined proposals special is that they take a more rounded approach. This, in fact, is a holistic package in which not only specific proposals for building on what we already have and improving on it treatment-wise are put forward, but also, significantly, a progressive change to legislation is also envisaged. We must face up to facts: our drug policy approaches haven’t brought us the results we had hoped for; and we need to take control, so we can start to get a grip on the problems and obtain the kind of outcomes we want to see; in terms of reducing crime, in terms of improving health, and in terms of protecting young people.
'What we need to do,' Mr. Alvarez explained, 'is to regulate and not simply legalise, to take control away from the traffickers and not leave it totally in their hands as is pretty much the case at the moment. What we need to do is to regulate drugs not because they are safe, but rather because they can be dangerous. What we need to do is to introduce measures that will reduce harm rather than add to it. We must measure regulation not just by looking at drug use, but by assessing actual drug harm. We need to get away from the Prohibitionist approach which, after many decades, has only succeeded in turning the drugs trade into an annual business worth $300 billions. It is a proven fact that the Drugs War approach has only succeeded in creating a Gangsters' Charter in which it is Organised Crime which is in total control; and where the authorities only do the little they can. Legislation, then, must aim to regulate and seize control of the situation, taking the demand and supply of substances currently controlled by traffickers and criminals and putting them in the proper control of the authorities. All this, while shifting our attention and our resources towards treatment and support of those affected instead of uniquely focusing on fining and imprisoning.
'Our proposals are looking for a studied, measured approach. We do not espouse some kind of hot-headed overnight revolution. Our approach must be the product of study and consideration. While we need to take action within a reasonable timeline, new provisions must be monitored for effectiveness and suitability to our situation in Gibraltar. We recommend periodic review to make any necessary adjustments over time, and to take a common-sense approach for the good of our community, of the many generations caught in the misery of addiction, and not of the criminals who would profit from them.
'Let's also make sure that it's Society and not corporate entrepreneurs which takes control. It has taken a very long time to bring Big Tobacco and Big Alcohol under limited controls. Let's not make the same mistake again. We must ensure that a regulatory regime remains firmly public health focused. We're counting on the Chief Minister. Let's do this once and for all! And let's improve health, let's reduce crime and let's safeguard our young,' closed Mr. Alvarez.
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