Targeted youth support: drug strategy group working with young people

The Staveley Drug Strategy Group is proactively addressing drug and alcohol misuse issues among residents, especially young people, in the Staveley area. The group works in partnership with a number of existing agencies and services to ensure that they identify at-risk residents and young people who are involved with drugs and alcohol, along with those at risk of getting involved. They make sure that they are supported and helped as early as possible.

The group, which is housed in the heart of the Staveley community, works closely with local residents. This work includes putting on drama productions dealing with the issue of drug and alcohol abuse, arranging training and educational events, and producing flyers, press releases and advertisements highlighting the danger of substance abuse and signposting to where help is available. The group also funds one full-time drug worker and has hired an alcohol worker for training and advice.

Our initiatives have worked wonders and really raised awareness of, and started to have an impact on, drug and alcohol problems in the community

James Green, Community development officer, Staveley Neighbourhood Management

Why change was needed

While drug and alcohol misuse in Staveley was not exceptional by national standards, it was clear from reports from the public and the police that there were signs that the problem was getting worse. There was increased needle dropping, overdose, dealing and theft. It was clear that things would continue to get worse, if nothing was done.

Action taken

Staveley's Neighbourhood Management invited members of the public, young people, police, local anti-drug and alcohol teams, the local authority, Connexions, schools, the youth service and other relevant agencies to a public meeting in 2004 to help form a strategic overview of drug and alcohol misuse in Staveley and discuss preventative action. This steering group now meets every two months to monitor and ensure the progress of the action plan that was produced at the first meeting.

Initiatives born from this group include:

• A full-time drug worker
  
  
• Community-based anti-drugs and alcohol drama productions
  
  
• Awareness-raising flyers and adverts
  
  
• Community training and education including:
  
  
  • Drug and alcohol awareness
    
    
  • Child protection
    
    
  • First aid
    
    
  • Food hygiene
    
    
  • Applying for funding
    

• Linking of local health and wellbeing initiatives through multi-agency working including r egular liaison with the Chesterfield drug action group
  
   
• Improved pharmacy facilities including:
  
  
  • Needle exchange
    
    
  • Supervised methadone consumption
    
    

• Staveley pub watch where local licencees meet regularly to share information and agree on banning orders collectively

Results

There is now much higher community awareness of the drug and alcohol, and associated problems, among residents and young people in Staveley and about what can be done to tackle these problems and to support adult residents and young people better. The steering group has become a platform for all agencies and services for young people in the area to work together to address issues and develop solutions.

Click to read more good practice case studies related to the targeted youth support change process.