The Drug Advice Service and Helpline has seen a big rise in the number of people seeking help for the first time.
Its annual report for 2012-13 shows there were 372 new contacts to the confidential service, an increase of 29 per cent to the adult service and 46 per cent to the young person’s service.
At its launch, Pokerstars and Microgaming announced they were joining together to support DASH. As well as financial backing, they have given advice and support on marketing and fundraising.
The report showed the most problematic drug continued to be cannabis, with 100 new contacts – an increase of 27 per cent on last year.
It was followed by alcohol and cocaine, and there was a rise in the use of new psychoactive substances (legal highs) as well as prescription-only medication.
Director of services Shelly Stanley said: ‘Certainly there is a rise in the use of reported mephedrone use and people continue to buy “plant food” knowing they have no idea what they are buying, particularly those under 18.
‘That is of course a worry with the continuing rise in production of these chemicals and why it is important to ensure we continue to educate in the community so that people can make informed decisions.’
DASH faced closure in March when the Department of Social Care pulled a significant part of its funding.
Miss Stanley thanked Pokerstars and Microgaming for their support, adding: ‘What we need now is partnership from the corporate sector, to come on board to help us make the difference we have already started,’ she said.
‘Drug and alcohol problems are part of a complex mix of other social, individual and environmental issues, they don’t occur in isolation that means we can all improve the outcomes in our community by working together.’
The service has had to reduce staff from three to two, and change its focus to:
l Increase the age for individuals with drug or alcohol problems accessing the young person’s service from 17 to 21
l Focus on the families affected by drug or alcohol use
l Education and awareness
l Continue with animal-assisted therapies
l Continue to improve sustainability.