We aim is to help Young People to resist drug and alcohol
misuse.
Our work helps young people their full potential in society,
particularly those most vulnerable and at risk.
Young people
Our aim is to help young people to
choose not to misuse drugs and alcohol so that they
can achieve their full potential in society, particularly
those most vulnerable and at risk.
We commission a wide range of
programmes across Kent that support, educate, prevent and for the
minority who need it, provide specialist treatment for alcohol and drug
misuse.
Services for young people do not
differentiate between those young people who use alcohol
problematically and those who use drugs problematically. Very often
young people are polydrug users and is closely linked a range of
‘risk taking behaviour’ including unprotected sex and
offending.
Research clearly shows that risk
taking behaviour is greatly increased by certain factors in the
young person’s life and environment. These are known as ‘risk’
factors and they can be minimised by ‘protective’ factors. KDAAT
works closely with partners to develop services that work to
maintain the protective factors that will stop young people
becoming adults with alcohol and drugs dependencies. More
information can be found on the risk-taking behaviour page.
In Kent we have developed a Young
Persons' Drug and Alcohol Use Screening Tool (DUST) non specialist
workers distinguish been use and misuse, and accurately assess risk
factors. DUST Screening and referral training is provided by
KCA, and is free for professionals working with children or in the
substance misuse field. For more information visit the DUST page. or call KCA on
01795 590635.
If you wish to speak to someone
about a young persons drug or alcohol misuse, or want to self refer
into treatment call KCA:
West Kent:01634 338640, medway@kca.org.uk
East Kent: 01227 456744, yps@kca.org.uk