Young People’s Drug Project

Young People’s Drug Project

The Young People’s Drug Project is part of your Youth Service. The project is made up of dedicated workers that you can talk to about how drugs or alcohol may be affecting you or your family. We don’t preach or lecture you, and can explore the issues that you feel are important. All our services are free and confidential to young people aged 5-19 years living in Stoke on Trent. If you have concerns about your own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use we may be able to help. Our service can provide up to date information on drugs and alcohol including the risks involved and the law.

‘Confidential’… What does that mean?

It means that as a general rule we will not speak to anyone about your circumstances without your permission – including your parents. Our confidentiality policy is always explained when we first meet. We are experienced in working with young people affected by drug and alcohol issues, are easy to approach and will understand the difficulties that you may be experiencing.

Don’t believe everything you hear

Young people get a lot of their knowledge around drugs and alcohol from their friends. This information can sometimes be wrong as it’s very difficult to keep up… with new drugs coming out all the time. Some of these drugs may be legal but that doesn’t mean they are safe. Of course the safest way to use drugs and alcohol is to not use them at all. If you do use drugs you owe it to yourselves and friends to find out the facts and keep yourselves as safe as possible.

Group Education

The Young People’s Drug Project offers drug and alcohol education to groups of young people in venues such as youth clubs, schools or training providers. Our trained staff can give credible and up to date drug education and focus on the real issues for young people that use drugs, such as cannabis and alcohol. If you would like us to visit your local youth centre, talk to one of the leaders and we’ll arrange a time to visit. Who knows, you may have seen us already.

Family drug/alcohol use.

There are an estimated 250,000 to 350,000 young people in the UK who have a drug using family member and an estimated 1.3 million young people who have a parent who misuses alcohol.

The Young People’s Drug Project can provide support to young people who have drug or alcohol misusing parents, or even brothers or sisters. We can help you to understand what is going on around you and help you to develop ways to cope with your feelings, improve your confidence, and stay safe.

Often young people experience feelings of worry, isolation, responsibility, anger, fear and guilt. These feelings can be difficult to cope with and hard to discuss with family and friends.

All staff are friendly, understanding and easy to talk to. We do not judge or criticise anyone. If you would like to talk to someone about how we can help then please give us a call and we’ll be happy to answer any questions.

We can arrange to meet you somewhere you feel comfortable. If you’d like to bring a friend along that would be fine too.

Dreams

‘Dreams’ is our confidential support group for young people aged 11 to 19 who are affected by a family members drug or alcohol use.

The young people that attend the group gain support and advice from experienced friendly staff and peer mentors who may have experienced similar emotions and feelings and can help support you through these difficult and worrying times.

DREAMS aims to provide a safe environment for you to talk about your feelings or just simply to hang out at the centre and participate in the many different activities we have on offer.

DREAMS is FREE and runs every Tuesday 4pm-6pm from the City Uth Centre. If you would like to know more about DREAMS call confidentially on tel: 234195 or e-mail dreams@stoke.gov.uk.

The ‘Buzz’ Bus

The Buzz Bus is a mobile youth centre, like the Rocka and Hoppa. We are buzzin around the city every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening. The uth website will update you of the areas we will be in. So if you see us come and say hello and chill with us on the Buzz.  We provide a safe space for young people to talk openly about drugs and alcohol and the stuff that happens when people are under the influence.  We also give you the correct information on drugs and alcohol to enable you to stay safe.