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Substance misuse

Few social issues impact so comprehensively on society as substance misuse. Alarmingly, children and young people are increasingly misusing alcohol and illegal drugs. Consequences range from non attendance and poor attainment at school, poor health, commiting crime to support “habits” and also increased risk of being a victim of violent crime and sexual exploitation.

In addition to this, many children and young people who live with substance misusing parents and carers are suffering its ill effects. They are often neglected, suffer from domestic violence and are at an increased risk of misusing alcohol and illegal drugs themselves.

‘The alcohol took over my life. Became more important than my daughter. More important than anything. It was driving me mad. Hopscotch helped stop the madness.’ Service user’s mother, Scotland

Barnardo’s believes that all children and young people involved in or affected by substance misuse should have access to help. Often children and young people’s services are part of services available to adults, meaning that they are not given appropriate support.

The facts

According to Department of Health research in 2005, 11% of 11-15 year olds had taken drugs in the last month, 19% had taken illegal drugs in the last year and 22% had drunk alcohol in the last week.
Some police forces estimate that up to 70% of all crime is drug or alcohol related - it is estimated that alcohol is a feature in 80% of incidences of domestic violence, and 40% of child abuse.
Young people who are misusing drugs or alcohol have the highest risk of death by suicide.

'I feel happy, happier than I have done since I was about 13. It's good! It's really good! Cos yes I've put a lot of hard work in, but the Base has been a really brilliant project.' Kelly, Barnardo's Base service user.

How Barnardo's helps

Barnardo's has 10 services across the UK that specifically focus on children and young people affected by substance misuse. However, since this is such an extensive issue that 87% of our services report working within and around issus of substance misuse.

We work closely with children, young people and their parents through counselling and support groups to help them through their situations. We also provide information, advice, education and practical support. This ranges from teaching children and young people basic life skills such as reading and writing, to providing them with subsidised meals and laundry services if they are homeless, to access to computers and training.