News archive

Published 23 June 2009

New research into drug and alcohol use by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people living in Brighton & Hove has been published by the University of Brighton and Spectrum as part of the Count Me In Too Project. Supporting conclusions of a recent NHS literature review, it reveals that LGBT people are more likely to take recreational drugs than the general population. However, as the research notes, the most common types of drugs taken by LGBT people are not those targeted for intervention by drug services.

Despite the similar levels of binge, hazardous and harmful drinking to the general population, the research showed that the LGBT community were concerned about their alcohol use. The majority of those who drank alcohol did not know where to find support if they needed it.

The findings underline the importance of the LGBT commercial 'scene' in the social lives and networks for LGBT people. Yet, they also point to the lack of safe, alcohol-free social and networking spaces, particularly for isolated and excluded members of the LGBT communities.

Last year, the Government's new ten-year drug strategy called for specific research into patterns of drug use and service needs amongst LGBT populations to inform future policy and service provision. Andrew Kilkerr from the National Treatment Agency at the Government Office South East called the report "an example of good practice which enables commissioners and providers to review current provision and to ensure they meet the needs of the local LGBT community".

"This report provides unparalleled evidence upon which to base coordinated action between sectors and agencies to respond to LGBT specific needs" said Arthur Law from Spectrum LGBT Community Forum, community partners to the project, "and makes a necessary contribution to local agendas for tackling social exclusion, health inequalities and crime. City commissioners have undertaken to respond to the findings in future strategic planning."

Becky De Sancha from CRI, a leading drug service in the city said: "We welcome the findings from this comprehensive research into the needs of one the largest minority group in the city. We'll be reviewing our existing service provision to take account of the findings."

Lead researcher on the project , Dr Kath Browne said: "We found that within the LGBT community alcohol is tied up with social networking which means that if you don't drink it is difficult to engage with the LGBT scene," says Dr Kath Browne. "We also found that a large number of respondents were concerned about their alcohol use, but were not accessing services. Therefore one of the key recommendations from the report is to better target health promotion campaigns to this community."

The Count Me in Too Project is a community university partnership between the University of Brighton and Spectrum LGBT Community Forum. Throughout the project, the research team worked with statutory, voluntary and community stakeholders to ensure that all the findings inform mainstream service and strategy development and ongoing community engagement with LGBT people.

The research was funded by Brighton & Sussex Community Knowledge Exchange, NHS Brighton & Hove (formerly Brighton & Hove City Teaching Primary Care Trust), and Brighton & Hove City Council and Drug & Alcohol Action Team.

The report can be downloaded from www.countmeintoo.co.uk/downloads.