Racial equity in substance use and recovery services

We want to do better in how we work alongside people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. We want to listen, learn and help amplify people’s voices so Corra, and wider society, can be part of the solution to racial injustice. This report shares insights captured at a Learning Network event exploring racial equity within substance use, addiction, and recovery services.

These insights suggest that more needs to be done to take an anti-racist approach within the sector ensuring that people are supported in ways that work for them. In particular:

• A holistic, non-judgemental and whole-family approach is needed. This may involve delivering support through groups with a more generic ‘wellbeing’ branding rather than ‘drug/alcohol/addiction’ specifically.
• Developing an inclusive and diverse workforce including people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in drug and alcohol services would strengthen engagement, understanding and provision of support.
• Ensuring materials are available in additional languages or offering translation services.
• Targeted outreach to build connections with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. Support services should be encouraged to attend events in these communities to build relationships.
• Addressing structural issues by dedicating funding to support Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups working within the drugs and alcohol sector to make strategic change in policy and service delivery
• Further research on the experiences of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic people providing and accessing drugs and alcohol services within Scotland is needed.