Substance Misuse Task Groups
The work for this subject has been split into 2 sub-groups
- Young People's Taks Group
- Adult Treatment Task Group
Projects funded via these groups include:
- Targeted drugs education in schools, from reception to year 7
- A young adults drug and alcohol service advisor for 11 - 19 year olds
- A young adults drug and alcohol service outreach worker
- A prison liaison worker
- An adult outreach worker for drugs and alcohol
Young People's Task Group
The drugs most commonly used by young people are cannabis, solvents and ecstasy, with a sharp increase being noted in the use of cocaine and amphetamines.
Cocaine use has doubled since 1998. Although only a relatively small number of young people use heroin, the Police Research Group suggest that there is more heroin available in the UK than ever before, with its lowest price ever of £5 per deal.
The recreational use of drugs by young people cuts across all social boundaries. Young people from middle class backgrounds are as likely to use as those from working class backgrounds.
There is no clear evidence to suggest any difference between local and national trends which identify that for many young people, illegal drug use is not part of their way of life. However, for some young poeple drug use is a relatively controlled, recreational activity and many would not perceive themselves as having a "drug problem" but see their drug use as an integral (and enjoyable) part of their social life. It is true that most drug users do not come to serious harm. However, there is a small but increasing minority who will experience problems. It is therefore important to recognise and acknowledge the difference between those who experiment with drug use, recreational users and those who are drug users.
As part of its prevention and education remit, the LEA in partnership with the Drug Action Team has developed guidance to assist schools:
- Have a planned programme of drug education across all key stages
- Have a clear policy in support of this programme
- Inform all staff of the policy and provide training, where necessary to facilitate its implementation
- Encourage the support and partnership of parents and the wider community
- Engage in a multi agency collaborative approach to substance misuse education
Through effective drug education programmes, schools can help young people to understand the risks of substance misuse and gain the knowledge and skills to resist taking or experimenting with legal and illegal substances.
Adult Treatment Group
There are 2 adult treatment providers commissioned by the Drug Action Team within Poole. They are:
The task group recognises that drug misuse and its consequences is a serious social problem for different but connected reasons:
- The physical health of the user can be damaged by the toxic effects of a drug dependence or the way it is used
- The impact on individuals, families and the wider community
- Links between drug misuse and psychiatric illness can often be established, although it is not always easy to distinguish which came first
The heavy cost of maintaining a habit often results in misusers coming into contact with the Criminal Justice System and Drug Action Teams/Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships throughout the country have identified tackling drug related crime a priority. Partnerships, however, have to recognise the need to ensure that the crime prevention approach is balanced with the need to encourage drug misusing offenders to participate in treatment
Because of the complexity of the problem, the task group and the partnership will work with the community to gather local information which can be used to inform the development and implementation of effective mechanisms to reduce drug use and associated crime.
For more information about the work of Poole Drug Action Team 
, visit their website.
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