Initially, users approach the Alliance through the helpline service. At this stage, advice and information will be given to enable users to approach the services themselves and communicate their needs to them. If this is unsuccessful, the user will be referred to the advocacy service, which will act as a mediator between the parties involved, providing an overview of current pharmaceutical approaches and a balanced assessment of treatment possibilities and what is achievable in any given case. We negotiate between the treatment provider and the drug user to ensure each listens to the other’s concerns with respect. Advocacy cases are usually processed through a combination of correspondence and face to face interventions.

The success of the advocacy service prompted the Alliance to start training users to provide simple advocacy in their areas. This training has proved so popular that the Alliance has been asked to deliver it on a regional level in several parts of the UK. For further information on the course, click here.

The Alliance believes that all local activity should be developed within existing DAT areas and should be funded and supported by local DATs, but should not necessarily be DAT owned. We propose that all DATs have a local user work alongside them in an advocacy role. This could work as a volunteer post, but we would encourage DATs to identify funds to ensure that the advocate is salaried.  The Alliance is currently providing service development and line management services for several DATs.  For further information, please contact Daren Garratt at .