Wiltshire and Swindon local drug intelligence and alert process

The protocol involves the appropriate sharing of information in the community, which is then circulated to key stakeholders and the Office for Health Improvements and Disparities South-West.

Where identified, new or novel psychoactive substances that are not yet classified by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, will be reviewed and considered under this process.

The local drug information process is the same for both adults and young people under the age of 18, although actions required may vary between stakeholders.

There is one local drug information system distribution list for each local authority area, which is managed by Wiltshire Council Public Health Team and Swindon Borough Council Public Health team, and reviewed on an annual basis.

It is important to consider the context of individuals circumstances within the alert, including adult and children safeguarding concerns, and vulnerable groups of people.

The drug alert follows three key stages, the responsibilities and actions for which differ, depending on whether the report is submitted during, or outside, business hours.

The three key stages of the drug alert process are:

1. receiving intelligence
2. assessing the intelligence
3. responding to assessed intelligence appropriately