£466k secured for LGB drug and alcohol use survey
October 29th, 2008
Funding has been secured for England’s largest-ever survey of the drug and alcohol use in LGB communities.
£466,000 has been secured from Big Lottery Fund by The Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) in partnership with The International School for Communities, Rights and Inclusion at the University of Central Lancashire.
The funds will allow LGF to conduct a 5-year confidential survey. It is the first large-scale survey to look at the drug and alcohol use of both men and women in the LGB community.
The findings of the survey will help ensure that drug and alcohol services are meeting the needs of LGB people.
A survey of 431 people carried out by the LGF at Manchester Pride 2007 found that 95% of those surveyed had used alcohol in the last month, 35% reported being dependent on drugs or alcohol, and 29% reported some problems with drugs or alcohol.
The most common mix of drug use amongst the LGB community involves ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamine, poppers and cannabis. Most people are not aware of the dangers involved in mixing their drugs.
“The research that we have already carried out indicates high rates of substance misuse amongst our communities,” said Chief Executive of the Lesbian and Gay Foundation Paul Martin.
“There is clearly a need for much more to be done to support both individuals and agencies in their understanding of how substance misuse affects our lives. We also need to help mainstream providers develop gay affirmative services.
“We are particularly pleased to carry on our partnership work with the University of Central Lancashire and look forward to developing closer links with other LGB agencies across England.”
Related stories:
‘Lesbians 50 times more likely to self-harm than straight women’ - results of shocking new UK lesbian health survey
Gay people twice as likely to attempt suicide
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