Tackling the harm that substance misuse causes to young people in Sheffield.

Our strategy in Sheffield focuses on the following:

• Making sure that education and advice about the effects and dangers of drugs and alcohol is available to all young people in Sheffield and their families.  Schools and youth services have a role to play in delivering drug education.  The SHED young people’s drug service also provide information through their drop in and telephone.  Out of office hours we link to the government’s FRANK website and telephone advice line.
• Targeting drug education and prevention work with young people who are most at risk of getting into problems with drugs and alcohol.  Research suggests that children who are persistent truants, excluded from school, young offenders or in care are more likely to use drugs and have problems with drugs as they grow up.  This isn’t to say that ALL these young people will have drug problems, but they might need extra help or advice to make sure they stay healthy.
• Providing specialist treatment services for young people who have a drug or alcohol problem.  We have a dedicated team of workers who are good at working with young people and understand their needs.  Most young people with drug problems don’t use drugs like heroin or crack, but are usually heavy users of alcohol, cannabis and dance drugs like ecstasy or speed.  Most need counselling and someone to talk to and help to solve some of their problems.  Families can be an important source of help.
• Safeguarding children who are affected by their parents drug and alcohol use.  This means making good links between children and family support services and adult drug treatment services to make sure that if children are supported if they are at risk because their parents use drugs.

The Strategy for young people in Sheffield is overseen by a partnership group, consisting of senior managers from Children’s Services, Health, the Police, Education and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team.  The strategy priorities are shared by the Sheffield Safer Communities Partnership and the 0-19+ Partnership.

Who delivers the action?

• Because the strategy is so wide ranging – covering everything from education through to specialist treatment, the responsibility for delivery depends on a wide range of people!
• Schools deliver drug education as part of the Personal Social and Health Education curriculum.  They also have pastoral support systems in place to identify young people who use drugs or alcohol, and if necessary help them access the support they might need.
• Youth Services also deliver drug education through a variety of activities.
• GPs and Primary Care services for young people can support young people with advice about healthy lifestyles, including avoiding drug and alcohol use.  They can also refer young people for specialist help.
• “SHED” (Turning Point) is the drug and alcohol service for young people in Sheffield.  SHED provides advice and information about drug risks, education to young people in vulnerable groups, advice and training to professionals, and counselling and treatment to young people.

Further Information:

SHED Training for Professionals

Useful Links for Young People

Important Contacts

Return to homepage

Page last updated 23rd February 2010 at 1525 GMT