Substance Misuse Strategy

Alcohol

In 2019 there were over 37 million visitors to Cheshire West and Chester, though this number reduced significantly to 20 million in 2020 as a result of the COVID- 19 pandemic (6) and so, we want to ensure that we promote a diverse and safe night time economy. However, this does bring with it an added layer of complexity, with some aspects of tourism being associated with excessive alcohol consumption. This can be seen clearly in the headline statistics for the local area:

• Across Cheshire West and Chester in 2021/2022 there were 2,314 people admitted to hospital with alcohol specific conditions, with men accounting for 64 percent (7).
• In Cheshire West and Chester, our hospital admission rate for alcoholic liver disease in 2021/22 was 121.6 per 100,000 which is better than the England average rate of 154.4 per 100,000 (7).
• In 2020 there were 132 deaths related to alcohol in Cheshire West and Chester ( 35.5 per 100,000, which is similar to the England figure of 9 per 100,000 and slightly lower than the North West at 45.5 per 100,000) In 2021 the rate of alcohol-related deaths in Cheshire West and Chester increased to 40.6 per 100,000, but this has decreased in 2022 to a rate of 37.9 per 100,000 which equates to 146 deaths in that year (this is similar to the England rate in 2022 which was 39.7 per 100,000) (8).
• In 2019, there were 2753 recorded alcohol-related offences in Cheshire West and Chester, with a similar figure reported in 2020 despite the pandemic (9).

Drugs

The harms from drugs are extensive and include health issues, drug dependency, crime committed to fuel drug dependence, organised criminality, violence, and exploitation. Often causing irreparable damage and loss to communities, families, and individuals too. We know that:

• In 2020 an estimated 17,398 adults aged 16-59 years in Cheshire West and Chester have taken an illicit drug (2).

• In 2019 there were 733 recorded drug offences in Cheshire West and Chester, reducing to 651 in 2020 (9).

• Locally, there were 51 deaths from drug misuse in 2018-20, a rate of 5.4 per 100,000 (10).

In addition, we recognise the role of those in recovery, they are experts by experience and can help shape interventions and services. In Cheshire West and Chester in 2022/23 there were 1,885 people in treatment for drug and/or alcohol misuse (11).