Numbers of homeless and alcoholics (FOI)

Request

Can I get the numbers of:

A

Homeless

B

Alcoholics

C

Drug addicts

in Jersey in the last five years? Including:

(a) How many are treated on a weekly basis in Accident and Emergency (A&E)

(b) How many are under 30

(c) How much time the police spend dealing with them

(d) Estimates on how much each individual costs Jersey each year

Response

Health and Community Services (HCS)

A to C

As treatment providers, HCS do not use the word “alcoholics” as this is a subjective term. The definitions used are defined by the Chief Medical Officer from the Department of Health as follows:

Low risk drinkers - 2 to 3 units a day with at least 2 alcohol free days a week

Increased risk drinkers - 14 to 21 units a week

High risk drinkers - over 21 units a week

Dependent drinkers - approximately 15 units a day

“Drug addicts” is also considered a subjective term. Only those individuals with problematic drug use tend to present themselves to the Alcohol and Drugs Services would have no records of those who do not present to services. Additionally, as evidence from the UK has shown, there are a number of people who are dependent on prescription or over the counter drugs who are unknown to services.

Information is provided on those individuals who have received an alcohol or drug referral to HCS in the last five years, including specific referrals from the Emergency Department to the Alcohol Liaison Nurses.

Alcohol Pathway Community referrals

Hospital Alcohol Liaison Service figures

Opiates referrals 2007 to 2019

* Old = Clients with a previous involvement. New = Those not known to the service previously.

Other drugs referrals 2007 to 2019

NB* Other drugs include cannabis, benzodiazepines, cocaine etc.

Young Persons Substance Misuse Worker figures

States of Jersey Police

A and (b)

The number of persons who were detained in police custody from 2014 to date**, and who claimed to be without a permanent address was 627, of which 228 were under 30 years of age. It should be noted that in some cases, the same person may come into custody several times. Outside of the custody environment, police deal with many thousands of people where there is no requirement to disclose their housing status. Consequently, the total number of homeless persons is not recorded by the police.

B and (b)

Medical questionnaires of persons in custody indicate 200 relevant custody records of which 19 were under 30 years of age. As above, it should be noted that in some cases, the same person may come into custody several times. Outside of the custody environment, police deal with many thousands of people where there is no requirement to disclose whether or not they are alcohol dependent. Consequently, the total number is not recorded by the police.

C and (b)

Medical questionnaires of persons in custody indicate 39 relevant custody records of which 9 were under 30 years of age. As above, it should be noted that in some cases, the same person may come into custody several times. Outside of the custody environment, police deal with many thousands of people where there is no requirement to disclose whether or not they are drug dependent. Consequently, the total number is not recorded by the police.

(c) and (d)

As the total number of persons that may be described as homeless, or alcohol or drug dependent is not recorded, it is not possible to estimate the time and cost.

** Figures provided by the States of Jersey Police and are correct as of 19 September 2019.