In this section

• Sheffield Approach
• Information and Education about
  Substances
• Substance Misuse - what
  constitutes a problem?
• Harm Reduction
• Roles and Responsibilities

	Myth We can scare young people away from drugs by showing them some of the more gruesome consequences. Reality 'Scare stories' can do the opposite and make drug use seem more glamourous and dangerous.

Sheffield Approach

"The Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme is an opportunity to enhance the prevention of substance misuse by children and young people as part of a holistic multiagency outcomes-focused approach. Drug¹s are closely linked to poor outcomes among young people. Children's services already know many of those at greatest risk"

“Every Child Matters: Young People and Drugs” (2005)

The majority of young people do not use, and will never use, drugs. However, a significant minority will experiment with drugs as they grow up. Some of these young people will go on to use drugs, most commonly cannabis, on a regular basis but experience no significant problems as a result. A small number of young people however, will develop serious problems with drugs. These problems may go on to blight their adult lives for years to come. A larger majority of young people will have used alcohol by the time they are 18. Heavy alcohol use by young people also contributes to poor outcomes: about one third of all referrals of young people to the SHED service are primarily for problems relating to alcohol use rather than illegal drugs.

Substance misuse contributes to a range of poor outcomes for young people: poor health, poor mental health, educational attainment, family breakdown, economic wellbeing, offending behaviour. However, too often young people who are slipping into a pattern of substance misuse do not get any help until their problems have become so great that they are really difficult to overcome - even with the support of specialist treatment services.

That is why we want to ensure that the people who work with young people in Sheffield, across a range of settings in health, social care, schools and the voluntary, community and faith sector, are proactive in discussing the issues of substance misuse with young people, and offer early assistance and advice where substance use is identified.

¹This toolkit uses the term 'substances' to include illegal drugs, alcohol, volatile substances like gases, glues and aerosols, and illegally held prescription medication. Government strategy documents use the term 'drugs' to mean the same, but we think this may be misinterpreted to exclude alcohol and volatile substances. Where this toolkit uses the term 'drugs' it refers specifically to illegal drugs.