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Drug & Alcohol Review Panel
The LGBT AG has set up a small independent review panel to consider the issues relating to drug and alcohol use amongst the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in London.
The review panel has been established independently from the police and intends to provide a robust, transparent consideration of the evidence and experiences of LGBT people around drugs and alcohol in London.
Download the Strategy Document
The panel is chaired by Dr Justin Varney, a member of the AG and a public health doctor, and consists of LGBT Independent Advisors from the LGBT AG. The police do not sit on the review panel and will not have access to the evidence submitted in line with the ethical framework being used.
Download the Ethical Framework Document
During 2006 the LGBT AG became aware of a series of deaths, serious physical and sexual assaults, and increases in theft and other crimes relating to drug and alcohol use in the LGBT community in London and hence has established this review panel to consider the current situation in London.
Research has shown that the patterns of alcohol and drug use among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is different to the heterosexual population. Also there are specific challenges and opportunities around engaging with minority groups and commercial venues that target them which are different to generic approaches.
The Metropolitan Police has a key role both in relation to the policing relating to drug and alcohol use and the associated outcomes of domestic violence, sexual and physical assault and theft and other crimes. In addition their role as a key strategic partner at a regional and local level with the health service makes them pivotal in addressing these issues in a constructive and proactive manner.
In recognition that the issues relating to drug and alcohol use are wide reaching and affect a range of statutory sector and voluntary sector providers, the review panel is extending an open invitation for written evidence from individuals and organisations living, working and visiting London.
We hope that a wide range of individuals and organisations will respond to this call for evidence to help inform the review panel and the recommendations that it hopes to make before the end of 2007 to the Metropolitan Police.
Online survey [ Take the survey now ]
The survey takes about ten minutes and is anonymous and is an opportunity for you to tell us about your own experiences and those of your friends, partners and the people you see out on the scene as well as give us suggestions and thoughts. The survey closes on Friday 30th November.
Written response [ download submission document ]
In order to help individuals respond to the call to evidence we have set out some key questions which can be downloaded in the document below. These are meant to be a helpful guide, we have left the questions deliberately open to enable as wide a range of opinions and thoughts as possible. Responses can be emailed to da@lgbtag.org.uk or sent by post to LGBT Advisory Group, 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3XX. The deadline for written submission is Tuesday 31st August.
For further information please contact the chair of the Review Panel, Dr Justin Varney or the co-chair of the LGBT Advisory Group, Bob Hodgson.
Support & Information
Resources on issues related to drugs and alcohol can be found on our Links page.
Press & Media
Please download the current press statement. You can also see previous press statements.
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