YourVoice- Advice and Support- Alcohol and Drugs

The purchase of alcohol is illegal if you are under the age of 18. An adult is also not allowed to buy alcohol on your behalf if you are under 18.

Although alcohol is a legal drug, it still has a number of negative effects which include:

• Reduced feelings of anxiety and inhibitions, making you feel more sociable.
• Some exaggeration of whatever mood you're in when you start drinking and it can also cause depression.
• Causing a wide range of physical health problems, either as a result of binge drinking or from drinking most days of the week over recommended levels. The problems caused by alcohol include cancers, heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, and falls and other accidents.
• Affecting physical and brain development in young people.

Illegal drugs are placed into one of 3 classes - A, B or C. This is broadly based on the harms they cause either to the user or to society when they are misused.

The class into which a drug is placed affects the maximum penalty for an offence involving the drug. For example, Class A drugs attract the most severe penalty as they are considered likely to cause the most serious harm. Drugs controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act are illegal to have, produce, give away or sell.

• Class A drugs include: heroin (diamorphine), cocaine (including crack), methadone, ecstasy (MDMA), LSD, and magic mushrooms.
• Class B includes: amphetamines, barbiturates, codeine, cannabis, cathinones (including mephedrone) and synthetic cannabinoids.
• Class C includes: benzodiazepines (tranquilisers), GHB/GBL, ketamine, anabolic steroids and benzylpiperazines (BZP).

Not all drugs are illegal, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful. For example, tobacco and alcohol can seriously damage your health.

Taking illegal drugs has many risks as there is no control over how they are produced, so you may not know what you are consuming or how much. The side-effects may also be different and can have dangerous long-term physical and psychological effects.

Legal highs (known as Novel Psychoactive Substances or NPSs) are substances used like illegal drugs such as cocaine or cannabis, but not covered by current misuse of drug laws.

You can’t really be sure of what’s in a ‘legal high’ that you’ve bought, or been given, or what effect it’s likely to have on you or your friends. Effects of legal highs can include reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, coma, seizures and, in a few cases, death.

In May 2016, 'legal highs' became illegal under the Psychoactive Substances Act. This means there will be a blanket ban on the production, distribution, sale and supply of legal highs which are intended for human consumption.

Rise Above have lots of interactive advice and support around your questions on alcohol

Talk to Frank offer help on dealing with the effects of drinking as well as advice and support and stories

The NHS has a whole range of alcohol support, including tips to help you cut down and how to monitor your drinking

The National Association of Children of Alcoholics gives support to anyone who has a parent with a drink problem

Papyrus provide confidential help and advice to young people to prevent suicide

School nurses hold clinics in every Secondary School in Doncaster every two weeks. They also have an e-clinic that you can book an appointment in advance for. You can text their service for more information and to book on 07917 031891.

Project 3 Young Peoples Health and Wellbeing Service work with young people aged 18 years and under who need advice, information, support and intervention around:

• Contraception and sexual health
• Drugs and alcohol
• Stop Smoking
• Support around somebody elses use of drugs and alcohol such as a parent

For 1:1 structured support you can self- refer or parents, carers or professionals can give us a call to refer in and we can see you at a venue of choice as long as it is safe.

Drop-in sessions

We are currently not running drop in sessions but please book an appointment.

Parents/carers and professionals such as teachers or support workers can make a referral on your behalf but you would need to consent to a referral being made.

Contact

• Telephone: 01302 640032 
• Email: rdashproject3.referrals@nhs.net
• Address: Project 3 Young Peoples Health and Wellbeing Service, The Flying Scotsman Centre, St Sepulchre Gate W, Doncaster DN1 3AP

Sober Social is a space for everyone, right in the middle of the town centre.

We work with young people of all age groups on a number of different projects.

If you’re 11-18 you can get involved in P.O.P. – a fun, after-school project based around pop culture.

Meet other people in your age group as you learn to bake, run a business, show off your talents and build your confidence at the same time.

If you’re 10-15 you might also like to get involved in our #SoberSocial project – a social media and campaigning project which teaches you how to use social media to make positive changes in the wider world.

We’re always looking for new ways to work with young people so, if you’ve got any ideas, follow us on Facebook, Insta or Twitter and send them our way!

For more information email nicola@doncasteralcohol.co.uk