Principles and Values

Stoke on Trent Drug and Alcohol Action Team is committed to ensuring all activities addressing substance misuse issues are based on the following principles.

Equal opportunities and equity of access/provision - The DAAT recognises that oppression, disadvantage and discrimination exist in society, and that people often face simultaneous oppression. Stoke on Trent DAAT is committed to striving to eliminate these inequalities and aims to be both reasonable and just in all its activities and responsibilities. The DAAT commits itself to ensure that all its activities do not discriminate against people on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identify, religion, impairment and emotional distress, or substance used.

The DAAT is also committed to striving to achieve equity of access to and provision of services within the City and that all partner agencies pro-actively strive to ensure all communities have equitable access to services.

Integration - The DAAT recognises that substance misuse issues do not occur in isolation. Other non-drug specific activities to tackle inequalities and social exclusion will have a positive impact on tackling substance misuse and all opportunities to join issues up should be embraced.

Evidence - The DAAT acknowledges that all strategic plans and activity to tackle substance misuse issues must be based on accurate, informed data/information. Therefore, the DAAT aims to ensure monitoring, evaluation and review processes are put in place to ensure both best value and best practice.
Joint action - The DAAT recognises that if the 'problem' of substance misuse is multi-faceted and the solutions to tackle substance misuse issues must be through effectively managed joint action between partner agencies and with service users and local communities.

Consistency of action - The DAAT is committed to ensuring that any implementation of the National Drug Strategy within the City recognises local circumstances.

Effective communication - The DAAT appreciates that communication is vital if we are to effectively tackle substance misuse issues. This communication needs to take place between DAAT Board members, the Joint Commissioning Groups, Task Groups, Sub-Groups and the local Alcohol and Drugs Forum; and between the DAAT and the wider community of Stoke on Trent. The DAAT also recognises the need to liaise with the County DAAT and their relevant groups on issues that span the whole of North Staffordshire.

For further information about the Stoke-on-Trent Drug and Alcohol Action Team, please contact us