Substance Misuse

All young people are assessed for any substance misuse issues when they come into contact with Staffordshire Youth Offending Service. Where substance misuse issues have been identified further screening takes place by the Service's Substance Misuse workers. The Service provides a range of tailored programmes available to use to support interventions to enable young people to tackle substance misuse problems.

Alcohol and Drug Services in Staffordshire (ADSIS)

Staffordshire Youth Offending Service works closely with Alcohol and Drug Services in Staffordshire (ADSIS). ADSIS are the lead alcohol and drug agency in Staffordshire. They work with anyone affected by their own or someone elses drink and/or drug problem.

They provide information, advice and support. This may be via the telephone, on a one to one basis or in a group. They offer confidential advice, information and support for 10 - 18 yr olds in Staffordshire who may have a drug or alcohol related problem or know someone who does.

ADSIS have been working with Staffordshire Youth Offending Service to produce packs and tools to assist work with young people who have a substance misuse problem. They include:

TANKED - Teaching Alcohol Knowledge Keeps Everyone Drier

TANKED is a basic education package aiming to raise young peoples awareness of facts, risks and social issues surrounding alcohol use and to look at the consequences of drinking too much. The objective are:

• To provide young people with accurate information to allow an informed choice, relating to the use of alcohol.
• To provide information on alcohol use that will reduce harm to self and the wider community.
• To enable young people to identify the links between alcohol and offending.
• To identify the need for further alcohol related interventions and facilitate referral to appropriate services

Absolutely Tanked

This programme is for young people with more serious substance misuse problems.

It's aim is to highlight the dangers alcohol misuse and binge drinking can have physically and psychologically. To raise awareness around the impact alcohol has on crime and disorder in society. The objectives are:

• To encourage young people to reflect on their own drinking patterns through the use of interactive exercises
• To enable young people to identify the risks to health binge/heavy use of alcohol can have
• To enable young people to identify links between alcohol and related crime and the associated consequences with the law
• To provide information through interactive exercise on alcohol related issues to help young people to make responsible decisions
• To identify the need for further alcohol related interventions and facilitate referral to appropriate services 

HEMP - Hash Education Means Prevention

This package is an information pack aimed at tackling cannabis use and has been developed in partnership with health and substance misuse workers. The programme includes:

• Cannabis and the Law
• The effect of Cannabis
• Facts, Risks and managing Cannabis use

Addicted to Sport Boxing Programme

A programme using sporting activities, such as boxing, to improve young people's lifestyles including physical health, self confidence, tackling offending behaviour and drug and alcohol issues. The overall aims and objectives of the programme are to:

• Reduce and prevent offending behaviour
• Promote self control and discipline
• Improve the understanding of the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle
• Raise awareness of the harm of substance misuse including drugs, alcohol and tobacco
• Introduce young people to sporting activities

The programme incorporates:

• Regular fitness assessments
• Physical training
• Boxing training skills
• Substance misuse presentations
• Health Lifestyle presentations
• Consequences of offending behaviour
• Anger management
• Positive role model input.

Currently, the project is being run at Rugeley Amatuer Boxing Club and over 100 young people have been through the scheme. The aim is to enable the programme to grow and be reproduced across the County for young people either offending or at risk of offending. An evaluation of the project is currently underway and it is hoped that some interesting and positive results will encourage cross agency co=operation and investment with this existing programme.

Staffordshire Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT)

The DAAT work in close partnership with Staffordshire Youth Offending Service, providing funding for some of the Service's drug and alcohol related programmes. One of the main aims of the DAAT is to reduce drug and alcohol related crime and disorder. The DAAT's main role is to deliver the national drugs strategy at a local level. There are four stands to this strategy:

1. reducing the supply of illegal drugs;
2. preventing young people from becoming drug misusers;
3. reducing drug-related crime; and
4. reducing the use of drugs through increased participation in treatment programmes.

Last Modified: 12/07/2007 11:10:09
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