Healthy Conversations – drug and alcohol use in the city

This week in our Healthy Conversations campaign, we’re exploring how housing, transport and community safety are all essential building blocks for good health and how they play a vital role in preventing harmful drug and alcohol use in Brighton & Hove.

Why a stable city matters

The Health Counts 2024 findings show that good health depends on more than healthcare – it’s shaped by our homes, how safe we feel and the communities around us. The Health Foundation aims to raise awareness of the importance of these building blocks which enable us to live healthier lives.

According to Health Counts 2024, one in five adults in the city are fairly or very worried about their housing conditions – such as damp, cold and leaks, while one in three feel unsafe walking alone in their local area at night.

Insecure housing, unreliable transport, unsafe streets and a lack of ‘community connection’ can intensify stress and isolation and along with the poor mental health that these situations can cause, can end up creating conditions where harmful drug and alcohol use can occur.

Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care, said: “It’s not enough to simply identify the symptoms.  We must work deeper and support and treat the whole person. This includes making sure people have a safe place to call home, having reliable and supported ways to get help and ensuring that people feel part of a community. Only by strengthening these building blocks can we start to reduce harmful drug and alcohol use.”

Strengthening the building blocks

• Through partnerships with organisations such as Brighton Housing Trust and Changing Futures, we are expanding secure, supported housing options – especially for those affected by substance use.
• With an expanding cycle network and improved public transport networks [LINK], we’re working to ensure everyone can access jobs, treatment and community with ease.
• The Community Safety Partnership’s 2023-26 strategy places drug- and alcohol-related harm at the heart of efforts to create safer streets and neighbourhoods.

What’s next?

Next week, we’ll take a deep dive into the new Drugs & Alcohol Strategy to demonstrate how collaboration between the council, NHS, police and communities will transform policy into action.  Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Brighton & Hove.

Thank you for following Healthy Conversations!  Please stay tuned as we continue the series on how our city is taking bold steps to protect and uplift every resident.