Designated Place

Cathy Jamieson MSP opening £250,000 redeveloped Designated Place
in 2004

Discrete entrance to new Designated Place and Office Suite

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Press Release

Alcohol Support Ltd  - Designated Place

Budget Cut Public Event,

Aberdeen Arts Centre

Friday 21st March 2008

Aberdeen City Council intends to cut £140,000 from grants to the Designated Place at Alcohol Support Ltd as part of their overall £27m cuts to services in the city.  It has taken this action without awaiting  the outcome of a review commissioned by them which Alcohol Support Ltd is committed to.

Alcohol Support Ltd will be attending the public event at Aberdeen Art Centre on 21st March 2008 at 11.00 am where those affected by the Council Budget Cuts will have the opportunity to have stalls to show what their organisations provide for the city, and also to quiz the Group Leaders on Aberdeen City Council about the impact of the imposed cuts and proposed school closures, and why they are taking place.

Cathy Jamieson, Deputy Leader of the Scottish Labour Party reported yesterday that “Designated Places are vital to protect those affected by alcohol. They safely and effectively deal with the unfortunate human consequences of excessive drinking and allows them to be cared for and supported in the right environment.  Closing Albyn House is utterly short-sighted. There are no other facilities designed to deal with this problem and the consequence will be that NHS, social services and police resources will be stretched even further.

Last year, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill visited the pioneering facility and is keen to see such   facilities provided in other Scottish cities. “I hope Aberdeen SNP Councillors will listen to their own ministers and reverse their plans to cut funding for Albyn House” says Lewis MacDonald MSP forAberdeen Central .

In 25 years, the Designated Place has received over 20,000 referrals consisting of people of all ages and backgrounds. It is unacceptable that at a time when much effort is being made to tackle the problem of alcohol abuse, that such a valued asset may no longer exist in Aberdeen, and will inevitably lead to greater pressures on public services.  Please support us by signing the on-line petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/17845.html and pass it on to others.

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For further information please contact: 

Gillian Kindness or Harry Miller

Alcohol Support Ltd

76-78 Dee Street

Aberdeen, AB11 6DS

 Tel:  01224 595981

Email:  gillian.kindness@alcoholsupport.co.uk  or harry.miller@alcoholsupport.co.uk

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Note to Editors:

The Designated Place at Alcohol Support Ltd forms part of an integrated service providing advice and support to children and adults who are affected by their own or someone else's drinking.   Albyn House accommodated the first Designated Place in Scotland with a £250,000 investment being made in 2004 to provide state of the art facilities for a vulnerable group of clients.

It is for persons deemed to be drunk and incapable and is an alternative to being arrested, spending the night in the police cells and a court appearance. It ensures the safety and well-being of people under the influence of alcohol, places emphasis on    creating a safe and supportive environment and offers higher levels of social inclusion.

Sign our Petition

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Press Release:
Designated Place Visit by Lothian Representatives

Designated Place

There are other organisations supporting clients who are suffering as a result of the budget cuts.  Please support them also:

Aberdeen City Council intends to cut c£900,000 from the grants to the Cyrenians as part of their overall £27m cuts to services in the city in 2008 - 2009.  Over the last 40 years the range of services offered by the Cyrenians has grown considerably. Originally just providing food and shelter, the services in 2008 aim to meet all the varying needs of people affected by homelessness in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.  Click here to support their campaign

Choices Day Service serves citizens of aberdeen city with a physical or sensory disability and their families. Aberdeen City Council has decided to close this service in June 2008 as part of it's money saving measures. Click here to support their campaign