Managed Alcohol Programmes (MAPs)

What are MAPs?

Managed Alcohol Programmes (MAPs) originated in Canada and are designed for people who are homeless and have an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). They focus on harm prevention by providing measured, regular doses of alcohol. In addition, individuals in MAPs are often provided with access to other services, including physical and mental health care.

SHAAP MAP Knowledge Exchange Webinar

On 23 February 2022, SHAAP hosted a MAP Knowledge Exchange webinar to share information and allow discussion to equip people and organisations who work with homeless people and people with Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs) with knowledge on MAPs, how they work, what makes them work, what should be taken into account, and lessons that have been learned in Canada, London and in the early stages of development of the MAP in Glasgow.

MAPs in Canada

MAPs originated in Toronto, Canada over 20 years ago in an effort to protect a vulnerable population from the health harms, including severe injury and death, associated with consuming alcohol in street based settings.

Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) – University of Victoria
CISUR is leading a national study of Managed Alcohol Programs in Canada. This project rigourously evaluates MAPs in Canada and generates insights into their implementation and effectiveness. The results of this research will be used to reduce unintended negative consequences of MAPs and inform the development of program and policy recommendations.

Source: The Canadian Managed Alcohol Program Study (CMAPS) - University of Victoria (uvic.ca)

MAPs in Scotland

The Simon Community Scotland (SCS) Managed Alcohol Programme (MAP) pilot launched in Glasgow in 2021 and is the first of its kind in Scotland and across the EU. The MAP is a truly collaborative multidisciplinary project with our colleagues in Glasgow Addiction Recovery services and has secured three years of investment. This will be a registered Housing Support Service which will be groundbreaking in many aspects of its service delivery
 

Alcohol Occassionals: Managed Alcohol Programmes (MAPs):

On Tuesday 1 June 2021, Dr Hannah Carver, Lecturer in Substance Use and Deputy Director of the Salvation Army Centre for Addiction Services and Research (SACASR), University of Stirling & Professor Tessa Parkes, SACASR Director, University of Stirling presented findings from their two Chief Scientist Office-funded studies on: 1) The feasibility and acceptability of implementing MAPs in Scotland; 2) The potential of MAPs to reduce risk of COVID-19 infection/transmission and wider harms.