A compassionate, community-centred approach is transforming efforts to address drug and alcohol harm in Leeds. Local recovery stories and lived experience are at the heart of a major new five-year strategy, aiming to create healthier futures for all who call the city home. This blog explores the challenges, achievements, and the next steps for drug treatment in Leeds.
How Lived Experience Shaped the Leeds Drug and Alcohol Plan
When it came time to draft a new action plan for tackling substance use, Leeds put people in recovery and their families front and centre. Jules, a dad-of-three and peer mentor, summed it up well: “When I worked with services and on myself, my life improved exponentially.” Jules, along with many others affected by substance use, has helped shape the Leeds Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2025-30.
Input from people like Jules ensures the action plan is rooted in real life and compassion, not just statistics. Those in recovery, their carers, young people, and professionals across Leeds all had a say in the priorities and language used.
Current Challenges of Drug and Alcohol Harm in Leeds
Like many large UK cities, Leeds still faces serious consequences from alcohol and drug use. On average, the city sees nearly 300 preventable deaths every year from alcohol-related conditions and over 60 preventable drug-related deaths.
Estimates suggest more than 10,000 adults in Leeds are alcohol dependent, and over 5,000 residents use opiates or crack cocaine. These numbers highlight the significant task facing anyone involved in drug treatment in Leeds.
Progress in Drug Treatment Leeds and Recovery
Despite the challenges, success stories are on the rise. More people than ever are seeking help; there has been a 19% increase in young people entering treatment between March 2022 and September 2024, and a 9% increase in adults. These are positive signs that more residents feel able to ask for support and see value in changing their lives.
Leeds is now the top-performing core UK city for adults completing opiate treatment successfully, with Forward Leeds playing a key role. Nationally, many look to Leeds as a leader in evidence-based approaches and visible recovery.
Encouraging Trends Among Young People
It’s not just adults who are making progress. The latest information shows a drop in secondary students drinking or using drugs. Ten years ago, 70% of students had drunk alcohol; now, it’s 46%. The proportion of students reporting drug use dropped from 14% to just 5% in the same period. These statistics show that interventions and education are genuinely making a difference among young people.
What Is in the Drug and Alcohol Harm in Leeds Action Plan?
The new Leeds strategy identifies six priorities for the next five years:
- Prevention
- Treatment and Support
- Recovery
- Protecting Children, Young People and Families
- Reducing Social and Community Harms
- Continued Monitoring and Learning
Prevention sits at the heart of the plan. The strategy describes plans to use tools like licensing and advertising regulations to reduce exposure to drugs and alcohol across Leeds. Schools and youth services will receive support to improve mental health and emotional resilience for children and teenagers, helping families before problems become overwhelming.
Accessible, high-quality drug treatment in Leeds also remains a major focus. Ensuring quick access, personalised support, and growing the numbers of ‘recovery champions’ means more people can benefit, just as Jules has.
Community and Recovery Champions
Community involvement is crucial. Leeds is part of the Inclusive Recovery Cities movement, which challenges stigma and celebrates visible recovery. Service users are not just recipients but co-creators of solutions. Training more recovery champions and fostering peer support networks ensure lived experience continues to benefit the city.
Jules sums up this approach perfectly: “If I can shine a bright light on someone and show there is a way out, then I feel like I’ve achieved something.” His work as a peer mentor at Forward Leeds and the 5 Ways Recovery Hub is living proof of the difference community support can make.
Strong Partnerships for a Healthier Leeds
Developing this ambitious plan took teamwork from Leeds City Council, the NHS, Forward Leeds, West Yorkshire Police, schools, and local charities. Their shared goal is to reduce drug and alcohol harm in Leeds and support every resident’s wellbeing.
Councillor Fiona Venner, who leads on equality, health and wellbeing, said, “This strategy paves the way for Leeds to continue to be a compassionate city that works with individuals, families and communities to prevent drug and alcohol harms and to provide outstanding treatment and support.”
Next Steps for Drug Treatment Leeds
The new strategy marks a turning point. It is built on the voices of people living with the realities of substance use, not just professionals. It focuses on practical support, prevention, early intervention, and a clear message that recovery is possible for everyone.
Leeds will continue to champion innovative, evidence-based services, invest in prevention, and create opportunities for every resident to live a healthier, more hopeful life. Supporting community recovery and learning from lived experience will remain top priorities.
Source: dbrecoveryresources
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