About

The London Drug and Alcohol Network (LDAN) was launched in 2001 and has since gone on to provide a powerful voice for the drug and alcohol sector. As a London-wide membership network representing the interests of treatment providers, LDAN is uniquely placed to influence policy and practice across the capital.

LDAN  provides a bi-monthly newsletter – LDAN News – updating its membership on drug and alcohol issues affecting the capital. LDAN facilitates a bi-monthly London service providers forum in partnership with the National Treatment Agency and a quarterly Senior Managers Group for service providers in London. It is able to represent LDAN members views and interests in a variety of London forums and in response to policy consultations. It is currently facilitating networks on domestic violence, homelessness and pathways to  employment, and providing other resources in these areas.

The network merged with DrugScope, the national membership organisation for the drug sector, in 2009, combining expertise and resources while retaining LDAN’s distinct identity and position within London.

Mission and objectives

The London Drug and Alcohol Network  aims to support its member agencies by:

1. Providing accurate, accessible and timely information on policy developments in London that affect their services, including the production of a bi-monthly newsletter  and policy and practice briefings on issues of importance to the alcohol, drugs and related fields.

2. Proactively engaging  policy and decision makers on behalf of member agencies, including representation in London-wide and national forums and policy processes and acting as a first point of contact for policy and decision-makers in London.

3. Creating opportunities for member agencies and other stakeholders to share information and good practice, discuss issues of common concern and network with colleagues, including facilitation of network meetings, seminars and conferences.

 

4. Ensuring that drug and alcohol issues are represented in wider social policy agendas in London, such as social exclusion and regeneration, and building strategic cross-sectoral collaboration with other sectors, such as domestic violence, homelessness and employment services.

 

5. Promoting good practice in service provision, supporting the development of services that are relevant to all London’s communities and needs and enabling services to respond effectively to diverse and changing needs.

 

LDAN is now housed within Drugscope and subscribes to and supports DrugScope’s mission and values .