Key Influencers For Safe Towns And Cities Sit Crucial Drug Awareness Exam

29-Feb-2008

Eight members of the Scottish Safe City and Town Centres Initiative will be taking the highly topical and extremely important Scottish Licensee’s Certificate in Drug Awareness (SLCDA) today (Friday 29th February). The certificate has been devised by BIIAB Scotland, the leading awarding body for the licensed retail sector, and today’s training is being delivered by Success Training Scotland in Glasgow.

The list of attendees for the course and exam includes representatives from the police and local crime reduction partnerships. Each is a key influencer within the Scottish Safe City and Town Centres Initiative, which is coordinated by the Scottish Business Crime Centre (SBCC), a unique partnership approach to addressing business crime and community safety issues covering the vibrant 24-hour economy.

BIIAB Scotland introduced the SLCDA in January 2006 in response to demand from industry and the regulators. The nationally recognised qualification is designed to help licensees or managers running licensed premises in Scotland to develop a basic knowledge and understanding of the law relating to the misuse and supply of controlled drugs on licensed premises. It provides operational guidelines to help licensees or managers deal effectively with any drug related problems on their premises. It also provides guidance for the development of policies and strategies to prevent such problems arising.

Today’s course is being delivered by Success Training Scotland, a BIIAB approved centre which is funded by LearnDirect Scotland. It is particularly significant in that the candidates are also involved in Best Bar None, the public safety and best practice scheme for pubs, bars and night clubs. The SLCDA supports the licensed trade in line with Best Bar None criteria.

Cathie Smith, Director for BIIAB, commented: “Our aim here is to help reassure the licensed trade in Scotland that they are being guided by people who are bang up-to-date with their industry knowledge. As a result of taking this qualification, they will also be able to offer advice to licensees on what further training and information is available and where to go for it.”

Tom McDougall, National Project Co-ordinator for the Safer Town Centres Initiative, commented: “Tackling Scotland’s drug problems is a key priority for the Scottish Government.  I am delighted those members of the Safe City and Town Centres Initiative are being provided with an opportunity to raise their awareness of these issues and, more importantly, can advise licensees of this qualification which can help devise strategies to combat potential drug-related problems on licensed premises.

Lynne Hunter, Director for Success Training Scotland said: “We want to encourage as many participants as possible to enrol on the SLCDA due to its major significance in the context of the new licensing act. We welcome today’s event as it raises awareness of the course and how it can contribute to a safer 24 hour economy for Scotland.”

For further information on the SLCDA qualification, click here.




Email michellel@bii.org
Contact Michelle Luscombe Corporate Communications Manager 01276 417863