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A Senedd Member is hoping to start a “national conversation” after launching the Senedd’s first ever cross-party group on substance misuse, abuse and addiction.
Plaid Cymru’s Peredur Owen Griffiths, who represents the South Wales East region, has setup the group with the help of drug treatment charity Kaleidoscope, with a view to improving treatment and rehabilitation in Wales.
What is a regional Senedd Member?
Wales is divided into 40 constituencies for Senedd elections. Each consituency elects one Senedd Member through a first past the post system.
Hefin David represents the Caerphilly constituency, Rhianon Passmore represents Islwyn and Dawn Bowden represents Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney.
Then, Wales is split into five regions, each region being represented by four Senedd Members. This means there are 20 regional Senedd Members, and 60 Senedd Members in total.
The three constituencies within Caerphilly County Borough form part of the South Wales East region.
Regional members are elected using a proportional representation system, where members are selected from a list of candidates submitted by each party.
These are the current regional Senedd Members for South Wales East:
- Natasha Asghar (Welsh Conservatives)
- Delyth Jewell (Plaid Cymru)
- Laura Anne Jones (Welsh Conservatives)
- Peredur Owen Griffiths (Plaid Cymru)
What area does South Wales East cover?
The South Wales East region includes the following constituencies:
- Blaenau Gwent
- Caerphilly
- Islwyn
- Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney
- Monmouth
- Newport East
- Newport West
- Torfaen
Mr Griffiths, who will chair the cross-party group, said: “The idea was borne out of a desire to create a national conversation about the ways in which we can mitigate against the harm that legal and illegal substances are causing in our communities throughout Wales.”
The group’s first meeting was attended by featured speakers, who talked about how their lives have been affected by addiction, both personally and through loved ones.
What is a cross-party group in the Senedd?
Any Senedd Member can set up a cross-party group in the Senedd, relating to any subject area relevant to the Senedd.
Some examples of cross-party groups in the Senedd include Autism, Human Trafficking in Wales, Music, Suicide Prevention and Lung Health, among many others.
A cross-party group must include members of at least three political parties represented in the Senedd.
However, these groups have no formal role in policy development – but can help raise awareness of issues, which can then influence the policies and decisions made by the Welsh Government,
Mr Griffiths continued: “A central theme that emerged was the power of peer mentoring in recovery and that is a message that I will be taking to the Labour Government in Wales.
“In future, we hope to have the Deputy Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing [Lynne Neagle MS] appear in one of our sessions, providing a direct-link to policy making in Wales.”
“I hope that by stimulating further discussion and exchanging good practice, we can take a more compassionate approach and emphasis the reduction of harm then that will be something to strive for.”
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