Substance misuse

Substance misuse and being involved in crime or child exploitation

• Drug Wise - what are the UK drug laws?

  Substance misuse refers to the use of naturally occurring or manmade substances to alter the way you feel or alter the way your mind processes things. This can include caffeine, nicotine, tobacco, smart drugs, prescription medication, illegal drugs, legal highs, use of inhalants and gas (NOS) and alcohol.

  Whilst some people might think using substances is fun or a good way to relax it is important to know that use of substances can lead to physical and mental health problems, financial difficulties, criminal record, dependence and addiction.

  People you know might encourage you to experiment with substances which can be difficult to resist, this is called ‘peer pressure’ and more information around dealing with this can be found here: Talktofrank – dealing with peer pressure

  Using substances at a younger age is linked to more serious impact on health.

• Some facts about substances:

  • 207,000 children aged 11-15 start smoking every year (BMJ). Dependency is quick and in a survey by Office of Health Economics, 74% felt they couldn’t give up.
  • A fifteen year old who is smoking regularly is 3 times more likely to die from lung cancer than someone who starts in their mid-20s.
  • Nearly a third of 17 year olds have experimented with cannabis and binge drinking, 1 in 10 young people in the UK have also tried very risky substances such as; ketamine, cocaine or heroin.
  • Substance use can have detrimental lifelong effects on both the physical and psychological health of young people  More information about substance use and you can be found here:  Youngminds - a-z guide – drugs and alcohol
  • The law about consuming alcohol can be confusing but it is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 18, The Chief Medical officer’s advice is that children under the age of 15 should never use or be given alcohol, and it should only be given to those over 15 with parental/carer awareness and supervision.

  For full information about alcohol consumption and the law follow this link:

  • Drinkaware.co.uk – the law on alcohol and under 18s.

• What can you do?

  What can you do?

  Studying for exams and preparing to leave school can be an exciting time but can also be worrying and you could find the changes and responsibility stressful. It’s not uncommon for young people to use substances in response to this, but this is unhealthy.

  It’s important for you to develop good skills around managing uncomfortable feelings, sometimes called ‘coping strategies’.

  It will be useful for you to read our section about moods, behaviours and feelings for more ideas on positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.

• Crime and Child exploitation

  Crime 
  

  
  During teenage years it is not uncommon for young people to engage in risky behaviours which might include criminal activity. This could be shoplifting, trespass, criminal damage, drug use, possession or selling of substances or becoming part of organised crime.
  
  Whilst being part of a gang is not illegal, sometimes this can promote criminal activity such as graffiti (criminal damage) or carrying weapons.
  
  If you are caught committing any of these offences there will be some sort of action from the police which might result in a criminal record, referral to the Youth Justice System (YJS) or prosecution. This can in turn have an impact on the future choices available to you and your employment options.
  
  This is a major concern for the police and YJS. Last year, 19,000 children were cautioned or sentenced, 11,000 teens were first time entrants to the YJS and 4,400 knife and offensive weapon offences were registered. It is estimated around 38% of these young people will reoffend. 
  
  50% of violent crime in the UK is alcohol or drug related (drug watch foundation, 2021).

  
  Child Criminal Exploitation

  This is when an abuser takes advantage of a young person for their own personal gain.(gov.uk). This involves committing crimes for the abuser, providing sexual favours for the abuser and friends, trafficking of young people and trafficking drugs across county lines. It is difficult to access precise figures for this, but it is a wide spread concern. 
  
  If you think you may be a victim of child exploitation or know someone who is, please call us on 101 or in an emergency always call 999.
  

  
  

  Being aware of what child exploitation is will help to keep you safe, find out more at the links below:

  • Health for teens - Drugs - county lines just the facts  
    NSPCC - Gangs and Criminal Exploitation
  • Cambs Police - Child Protection
  • NSPCC - Child Sexual Exploitation
  • NSPCC - Grooming

  Watch these videos about exploitation 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwCvPFrxbqU- 
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRZxFekdKeY
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqofFfXU2kI