SMART Project; (Carlisle)

The SMART Project is a joint venture between C.A.S.S. and Croftlands Trust. The project is designed to provide temporary accommodation and support to assist single people who have a history of alcohol and/ or other drug related difficulties to work towards abstinence or significant reductions.

A harm reduction approach

A harm reduction approach in relation to misuse of legal and illegal drugs is adopted. In order to do this C.A.S.S. seeks to offer a service that is accessible to drug users and will seek to avoid excluding drug using clients where possible. It is acknowledged that a policy based on immediate and total abstinence is not realistic nor an effective way of working with residents in this project. However, by adopting a harm reduction approach we seek to create an environment where all residents have the opportunity to both contemplate and work towards change. We have the following aims in relation to reducing substance misuse.

• To promote harm reduction and good health.
• To work alongside other agencies where appropriate.
• To assist residents to find their own strategies to enable them to retain their accommodation.
• To enable all staff to be aware of their legal responsibilities in relation to drug users on the premises managed by the project.
• To establish practice guidelines to assist in daily contact with substance misusers.
• To encourage substance misusers to respect other people who may be seriously affected by their substance misuse.
• To ensure that residents are aware of any legal and illegal issues related to their substance misuse.

The workers directly employed by the project will deliver intensive housing management support and general personal support. Links with other agencies will provide the specialist assessment and support residents will require to assist them to deal with their substance misuse. Project Workers' support focuses on assisting residents to maintain their accommodation as well as preparation for a ‘move on’ to live independently. Project Workers also assist with day to day problems which may arise regarding tenancies such as disputes with other residents or neighbours, property issues, budgeting issues, use of time and issues in relation to housing and other benefits. In addition Project Workers provide some general counselling relating to working through personal anxieties, establishing new positive peer networks and constructive use of time.