Drugs Advisory Service
In association with other agencies, we provide a friendly, confidential service for people affected by alcohol or drugs (illegal or prescribed). We help and support those who feel they cant be alcohol or drug-free and also those who choose abstinence as their aim.
All staff are drawn from a variety of professional backgrounds and are trained to help people with alcohol or drug-related problems.
Essential Drug & Alcohol Service (EDAS 
) offers an entirely free and confidential advice, information and support/treatment service to adults whose life has been adversely affected by substance misuse. They adhere to a strict set of confidentiality codes which they go through with clients at initial appointments. They understand how people can feel visiting their office for the first time and endeavour to make people feel comfortable. They offer:
- Someone to listen you can talk to a sympathetic and skilful listener.
- Taking action if you wish to do something positive about your alcohol or drug problem EDAS can discuss options available to you. They can support you in your decision to help yourself.
- Medication dependency assistance to you if you are troubled by tranquilisers or other medication, prescribed or otherwise. This service operates with the knowledge of GPs.
- Family and friends support can make a difference to family and friends of those with a drug or alcohol problem.
- Information EDAS provides an information service where you can find out about drugs in general or a particular substance.
The EDAS Poole Office operates its sessions on an appointment system. Clients will have an initial 45 minute face-to-face session where we ascertain what the appropriate programme of care will be for that person, whether it be helping people to cut down their drinking, aftercare programs, criminal justice groups, or blood-borne virus clients. We do operate groups in some of these projects, and clients can access these after initial assessments when they feel ready.
Young Adults Drugs and Alcohol Service (YADAS ) is a multi-agency service for young people under 19 years old whose lives are affected by drugs or alcohol. It is a voluntary organisation made up of Social Services, Dorset HealthCare NHS Trust, EDAS, Education and Youth Offending Team. YADAS offers you:
- An easy-to-access service in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
- A safe environment for you and other young people to talk.
- Information and support about drugs/alcohol and the effects they have on health, safety, home life, school, the law and friends.
- One-to-one sessions, self esteem, anger management and anxiety management, medical support, prescribing and detoxification.
Any information you give them will be kept to themselves and other members of the team. If they feel there is concern for your safety or the safety of others they may need to inform other services to help you, but this will be discussed with you first.
Contact Details
To access drug and alcohol support services, please get in touch with Poole Addictions Community Team. Alternatively you can go direct to Essential Drug & Alcohol Service if you wish.
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