Report on Public Health: Drug & Alcohol Abuse in Harlow, Essex, UK

This report delves into the public health concerns surrounding drug and alcohol abuse in Harlow, UK, highlighting its significant contribution to crime rates and adverse health outcomes. Harlow is identified as a hotspot for drug misuse, leading to mental and physical health issues among adults. The report analyzes the key areas affected, including long-term health risks such as high blood pressure, heart disease, digestive problems, and mental illnesses like memory loss. Statistics from Public Health England and the Office for National Statistics are presented, revealing alarming rates of alcohol-related hospital admissions and drug-related deaths in Essex, with Harlow showing particularly high numbers. The report discusses the rising death rates, especially among men, and emphasizes the importance of addressing substance abuse through public health initiatives, residential rehab programs, and NHS services. It also touches upon the determinants, inequalities, and barriers to health that contribute to substance abuse, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the negative impact on individuals and the community.

Public Health concern in a
specific geographical region

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Key areas of public health concern..............................................................................................3
Choosing a locality......................................................................................................................4
Statistics.......................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
In the health care, there are different areas which need attention because it affected the
entire region and health of individual as well. The entire study is based upon the Drug and
Alcohol which is one of the public health issue because it leads to family conflict and also causes
many health problems. Entire world is affected with this issue, though government in each
country take different strategies to minimise the negative impact but still it is not in controlled.
The chosen geographical region for this report is Harlow because secondary study shows that it
is considered as a hotspot and most of the adult were engaged in this activity that affected their
mental as well as physical health. The reason for conducting the report is such that it helps to
create awareness regarding the same and by analysing the data, reader might take action
pertaining to the same.
Further, the role of nurses in this situation is such that they communicate and understand
the patients so that they care for them effectively. Also, they try to meet the expectation and need
of patients and offer them effective care as well in the respective area.
Key areas of public health concern
As per the secondary data, it has been identified that Harlow is the town where crime
rates increases. As, it has been identified that UK has a higher prevalence of drug misuse and
that is why, the rate of such issue increases. From 2004 Harlow is in top regarding drug misuse
and that is why, it leads to cause a negative impact over the health and physical impact over
individuals (Harlow travellers served with public health orders, 2022). Majority of the cases are
find in drink and drive which increases the number of accidents in the country and increases the
high risk as well. There are many other health issues identified within an area which reflected
that Harlow is not only surrounded with drug and alcohol people, but it increases the wrong
impact upon people as well.
Through the chosen public health issue, it has been identified that there are many key
areas involved which include long term health risk such as high BP, heart disease and digestive
problem. Also, if an individual is highly obsessed with the drug and alcohol then it lead to cause
death as well. Apart from this, another key area of chosen public health is related to mental
illness because an excessive or regular use of drug and alcohol affect the brain and lead to cause
memory loss (Mahna, Puri and Sharma, 2018). Along with this, it can be stated that once the
drug diagnosed within an individual, there is a need to treat the people in an effective manner.

There are many factors that contribute to consume alcohol among people and this include
environmental factor in which culture encourages individual to increase such issue. However, it
has been identified that for a pattern of drinking, different risk factor contribute that helps to
raise the performance of drinking. Though there are many ways to improve the issue but most of
the people do not understand the same and affected the entire life in adverse manner. Also,
consuming the same is considered an illegal issue within a town but still there many cases found
that affect their overall performance in negative manner. In addition to this, it has been identified
that another major public health concern in Harlow is related to obesity in which most of the
people are highly obese and this in turn causes negative impact over their health (Spillier and
et.al., 2019). This in turn affected the entire performance and increases the rate of crime within a
specific area.
Thus, most of the health care professionals are already taken many steps in order to
implement the changes and reduce the chances of drugs among people. However, people are not
aware enough to the negative impact caused by their health and that is why, it contributes to
increase the number of crime within a specific area. Though drug and alcohol consumption is
considered as a social issue and that is why, overdose of such things lead to cause negative
impact over the health. There are many agencies and health care professionals indulge in this
area in order to treat the people and let them understand about the key issue as well.
Choosing a locality
The chosen area for this health care issue is Harlow where drug and alcohol misuse is
consider a significant contributor factor. I am choosing this country because there are many
researches already conducted in this field and that is why, it will help me to gather information.
Also, the chosen area is Harlow is a town and local government district in West of Essex,
England where range of drug addicted cases confirmed along with the death cases. Therefore, by
conducting research on this topic will help to understand the statistics or trend of increasing
drugs and alcohol in a given area. This in turn helps government to make effective measure in
order to reduce addiction.
Statistics
By comparing the other areas of UK, Essex is also considered an increase use of drug and
alcohol consumption and as per the recent data collected it has been identified that there are
many adult men and women who are involving in this case. Along with this, due to strong

addiction of drugs, most of the people loss their lives and as a result, their family have to suffer a
lot (Mushi and Manege, 2018). Therefore, one of the secondary study also entails that if the drug
will be continue throughout the year and there will be growing problem as well. Further, it can
be stated that due to loss of lives, the chances of increasing drug addiction raise and considered
one of the major public health issue within a country. Thus, there are different areas which need
to be included while determining the ratio of drug addiction among all people.
In context of death rates within the Harlow due to alcohol consumptions, it has been
evaluated that alcohol related admissions within the hospitals are described as admissions the
primary as well as secondary diagnoses are an alcohol attributable code. As per the data that has
been collected by the Public Health England, the direct age standardised rate of alcohol related
hospital admissions all across the Essex as a whole specifically in the year of 2017 and 2018
which was 1935. 65 per 100,000 of the overall population. This is considerably lower than the
rate all across the England (Ozturk and et.al., 2021).
From the above diagram, it has been identified that the direct age standardised rate per 100,000
population of alcohol related mortality was estimated to be 41.90 all across Essex as a complete
in 2017 which is lower than that of England which shares a figure of 46.15. All across the Essex,
there were 1474 persons aged over 18 years that were receiving specialist treatments for alcohol
abuse because of their consumption in 2016 and 2017. 80600 people were received such special
treatments across England in complete manner (Von Oelreich and et.al., 2020).
Alcohol and Drugs

Alcohol related hospital
admissions rate per 100K
Deaths from drug and alcohol
misuse
Value Rank Value Rank
Harlow 2360.045 1 14 5.51
Essex 1936.653 - 150 3.63
England 2223.808 - 6996 4.33
As per the office for National statistics, the age standardised mortality rate from drug and
alcohol misuse or over consumption by per 100,000 populations all across the whole of Essex
was 3.63 over the period of 2015 to 2017. This was slightly lower than the rate for England i.e.
4.33.
From the above statistics, it has been identified that 3530 people who are aged over 18
years across Essex were in treatment mode at specialist drug misuse of services in 2014 and 2015
with a rate of 3.12 per 1000 of the overall population (Popova and et.al 2019). This is
specifically lower than the rate all across the England which shares a figure of 4.82.
As per the ONS reports, the deaths due to drug poisons all across the 12 districts of Essex
are enhanced by 15 percent as compared to previous years i.e. 2013 to 2015 (Jimenez and et.al.,
2020). Hence, 2020 had become most difficult year for many of the people as per the UK
addiction treatment centres.

Increase in death rates
Area 2013-2015 2017-2019
Chelmsford 22 27
Colchester 40 55
Harlow 15 23
Rochford 5 10
Tendring 42 45
It had also have been identified that the men are having more death rates than women from
drug poisoning. Men accounts for 64 percent of all drug poisoning deaths in the East between
2017 and 2019. The proportions are comparatively unchanged since 2013 and 2015, when 68
percent of drug poisoning deaths were also men. Last year the death rates were registered at 4395
deaths (Greene, 2019). This is most importantly higher than the collective number of deaths from
the similar drugs ten years ago which stood at 1370.
Discussion over statistics
It is analysed that drug related deaths in Harlow has been increasing as data from past
two years suggest that previously there were 15 deaths but not it is 23. Report suggests that
during 2017 and 2019 year drug cases has been increased, also drug toxin deaths increased by
15% in total 12 districts of the Essex, thus this data is more than compared to the 2013-2015
data. It is also stated from the ONS reports that drug related deaths in the East England are
continuously increasing it rises up to the 22 percent. Therefore, in such it is important for the
government to do some needful in order to protect their citizens (Manley and Jackson, 2020).
Data shows that men are dying more as compared to women, as men accounts 64 percent death
due to the drug positioning between the year 2017 and 2019. Data is not changed properly as
previously men account the 68 percent death from drug abusing. It is the rising cause in Harlow
which needs to be addressed otherwise death ration will increase in that area.
Substance abuse develops the obstacles for the country, as it creates lots of challenges
and hindrance in country's economy it diverts the resources far away from the futuristic
properties. Data has been found that due to the substance abuse, it results as severe disease in

victim as well as premature deaths is also seen from this. It causes the long term harm to the
human body by damaging the organs, to overcome the alcohol addiction involves the discard of
physical and psychological dependency. It is difficult to self deal with substance abuse sufferer,
therefore it is important to contact with the professionals so that they can proceed with suitable
processes in order to treat the person. Public health care addresses the heterogeneous nature of
substance abuse and concentrates on analysing the myriad of the person (Mavandadi and et.al
2018). Public health England (PHE) aiming to improve their citizen's health by accounting
several measures to reduce the drugs and alcohol cases from the community. In Harlow
residential rehab are accessing privately from the public health care system, they provide the
safer and peaceful environment so that sufferer can cure easily and rapidly. NHS also operating
in that locality to provide the rehab services to the substance abuse victim. People with substance
abuse have more impact over the health care, as they access the health system to treat their
severe illness. As compared to the worldwide cases, US people are severely suffering from the
drug abuse despite the strict anti drug rules US has the greatest level of using the illegal drugs
throughout the world.
Determinants, Inequalities and barriers to health
There are many factors that force the individual to pursue the wrong path, some issues are
lack of education, financial issues, poverty, bad company, negative environment, disability and
other factors. All these lead the person to become victim of such toxins which are alcohol,
substance abuses, it destroys their life as well as distorts their mental and physical ability.
Determinants for health are-
Lifestyle, environment consider as the important pillars for the health, when these are
compromises than it cause much health related problems, in such intense health care system are
required. Social factors also drive the changes in the individual behaviour. As it is found that if
the person is substance abuse victim than it might due to their societal impacts (Popova and et.al
2019). If the community has low literacy rate then in such youths and adults are found to be
sufferer of the alcohol, drugs. Social environment such as peer pressure and availability of the
drugs and alcohol plays an crucial role to attract the individual because of this easy availability
they become the dependent over such toxins. Some other determinants for the substance abuse
are biological, genetic factors that are embedded; it involves the race, ethnicity, financial

capability. This cause mainly influenced by the interpersonal and community dynamics. It is
widely seen that in a community due to the lack of education facilities people are not able to
access such services, which increases the literacy rate. Also, there are society where crimes are
common, in such it is the responsibility of the parents to track their child's behaviour as they are
indulged in vulnerable processes or not.
It is found in the Harlow, police has received many drug dealing cases near the locality,
due to easy availability people are increasing their dependency over the substance abuses and
alcohol intake, due to such drug dying cases also increasing. People in that area are not
responsible towards their social duties which are affecting their entire environment. Adults are
living in that area easily accessing the alcohol and drugs which also causing the negative
environment as well as developing the crimes in near localities. Poverty determinants are the
major barrier for the health inequality and create a challenge for accessing the health care
services. It is totally related to the financial capability of the person, as poor people are not able
to afford or buy the medicines; it is difficult for them to claim the medical facilities. It needs to
be addresses as government need to provide the free health and medical services to the
communal people, so that they can follow the treatment (Tanne and et.al 2020). As for the drug
and alcohol issue it is necessary to provide the rehabilitation centre to the victims in order to
their fast recovery.
Education determinant is also a great obstacle for the health inequalities despite
organization hopes to expand the medical services, as to make the services available for people
so that they can afford or avail the treatment. As poor health is not only outcome of the less
educational attainment but it also develops the educational setback and involving with the
schooling. Therefore if the people in the area are not educated than it means there future
generation also remain abandoned from the education services, it cause the major economical
problem for the country (Hawk and D’Onofrio, 2018). If people are educated than in such there
are more probability that their children are away from such crimes and from other vulnerable
situations. Therefore, in such it is important for the local government to support their local
people, they can proceed to run communal program to aware the people so that they can adapt
changes and follow the development path.
Cultural factor is the major aspect that drives many changes as it completely changes the
scenario, as it is the belief of people their societal norms, standards that affects at great extent.

Such barriers are insecurity to treat patient, misunderstanding with the patient, time-consuming
processes and perceived distance between the sufferer and physicians. It is mainly seen that some
care providers do not consider the case of patient if they are from the different cultural
background, also seen that such people are not able to access the medical services. These are the
inequalities which are also increasing the crimes factors in the society. It can be seen that if the
person is not allowed to avail the services, in such they have only one option left which guide
them to the negative direction.
These are the determinants that cause the need of health care system in the region,
because of these inequalities, government need to implement the rules and regulations so that it
can be easier for the people to adapt changes and follow the forward path. As for the Harlow
case there is a extreme need of health care system, to aware people about use of substance abuse,
as how it cause the severe problem for human body, also causing the life threatening chances. As
to treat the people and provide them easy access to the health services, and to implement the laws
so that people can't dare to take such step (Choate and Badry, 2018).
CONCLUSION
From the above report it is concluded that health care system helps the community to
overcome the issues. Alcohol and substance abuse issue cause the major problem, it increases the
crimes in the society also restricts the growth of economy of particular country. Above report
illustrated the key concern areas for the public health, it lay out the discussion over the chosen
locality that are facing issues regarding the alcohol and drug abuse. Report also covers the local
health and social services to analyse the public health concerns. It further illustrated the insight
data for the public health need which covers the data from different sources, as to explore the
details around that particular geographical region. It lays out the statistical data which shows the
drug and alcohol related case of that particular region, data also interpreted with the help of
charts, tables so that it could enhance the understanding. It also concluded with the discussion for
the statistics which covers the public health care need for that particular area. Report finally
concluded with the identification of determinants, inequalities that are the major barriers for the
health, which lays out how social environment, poverty educations leads the individual to
become victim of such things.

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Choate, P. and Badry, D., 2018. Stigma as a dominant discourse in fetal alcohol spectrum
disorder. Advances in Dual Diagnosis.
Greene, C.R., 2019. Risk of drug overdose death following discharge from a trauma center for
an injury (Doctoral dissertation).
Hawk, K. and D’Onofrio, G., 2018. Emergency department screening and interventions for
substance use disorders. Addiction science & clinical practice. 13(1). pp.1-6.
Jimenez, P.C., and et.al., 2020. Enriching cancer pharmacology with drugs of marine
origin. British journal of pharmacology, 177(1), pp.3-27.
Mahna, D., Puri, S. and Sharma, S., 2018. DNA methylation signatures: Biomarkers of drug and
alcohol abuse. Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research. 777. pp.19-28.
Manley, K. and Jackson, C., 2020. The Venus model for integrating practitioner‐led workforce
transformation and complex change across the health care system. Journal of evaluation in
clinical practice. 26(2). pp.622-634.
Mavandadi, S. and et.al 2018. Message framing and engagement in specialty mental health
care. Psychiatric services. 69(3). pp.308-314.
Mushi, F.V. and Manege, S.L., 2018. Alcohol abuse and illicit drug use at construction sites:
Perception of workers at construction sites. International Journal of Construction
Engineering and Management. 7(2). pp.65-72.
Ozturk, O., and et.al., 2021. Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs and Opioid Prescriptions
for Disability Conditions. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 19(3), pp.415-
428.
Popova, S. and et.al 2019. Prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder among special
subpopulations: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Addiction. 114(7). pp.1150-1172.
Spillier, Q. and et.al., 2019. Anti-alcohol abuse drug disulfiram inhibits human PHGDH via
disruption of its active tetrameric form through a specific cysteine oxidation. Scientific
reports. 9(1). pp.1-9.
Tanne, J.H. and et.al 2020. Covid-19: how doctors and healthcare systems are tackling
coronavirus worldwide. Bmj. 368.
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Von Oelreich, E., and et.al., 2020. Risk factors and outcomes of chronic opioid use following
trauma. Journal of British Surgery, 107(4), pp.413-421.
Online references
Harlow travellers served with public health orders. 2022. [Online]. Available through
<https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-30588221>
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