Raising a Public Health Concern: Women Overlooked in UK Drug Policy and Disadvantaged in Mixed-Gender Community Services

TL;DR

This paper highlights how UK drug policies and community services fail to address the unique needs of women who use drugs, often due to trauma and abuse.

Contribution

The study introduces a gender-responsive approach to drug policy by emphasizing women's trauma and mental health needs in treatment services.

Findings

Many women using illicit drugs have trauma and mental health issues linked to adverse childhood experiences.

Women face challenges such as child removal, domestic abuse, and engagement with the criminal justice system.

Improved referral pathways to domestic violence and mental health services are needed for better outcomes.

Abstract

The British From Harm to Hope drugs strategy seems limited in gender responsiveness. Evidence is presented from a West Midlands case study where a qualitative participatory methodology with thematic analysis was employed. The project was co-designed by academics, women with lived-experience and third-sector research leaders. To identify community drug and alcohol treatment issues and solutions, interviews and focus groups were conducted with female service users (N = 28), a range of drug and alcohol workers and managers, and women’s sector practitioners (N = 17). Frontline professionals (N = 9) also took part in an online-adapted world café to enrich understanding and ascertain solutions. The study found that many women using illicit drugs have trauma and mental health issues linked to (1) adverse childhood experiences, (2) child removal by local authorities, (3) domestic abuse and sexually exploitative relationships, and (4) criminal justice system engagement. Based on findings, the study recommends that women’s public health pertaining to substance use, mental health and the interplay with childhood and adulthood abuse and violence needs better addressing in policy and practice. This paper highlights the need to better address women’s health through developing drug and alcohol services with improved referral pathways to domestic violence and mental health services.