Substance Misuse
This section contains key messages about substance misuse and its effect on society, in particular on our health. Links to websites are provided throughout to give further advice and support.
Substance misuse is a growing concern for professionals and the public. It is a complex issue and not only impacts on the lives of those directly involved but also on their families and the communities in which they live.
What is substance misuse?
Substance misuse is often defined in a very simple way, for example “the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in quantities other than directed” (Medline medical encyclopaedia). Generally, when most people talk about substance abuse, they are referring to the use of illegal drugs.
However, it is important to recognise that illegal drugs are not the only substances that can be abused. Alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medications, inhalants and solvents, and even coffee and cigarettes, can all be used to harmful excess.
Why is substance misuse an issue?
Some of the main findings from The Information Centre, Statistics on Drug Misuse: England 2007 report is as follows:
Among adults aged 16 to 59 living in England and Wales:
- The use of any class A drug in the last year has increased from 2.7% in 1998 to 3.4% in 2005/06 - mainly due to the rise in use of cocaine powder.
- Men are more likely to take illicit drugs than women - 13.7% of men compared with 7.4% of women took drugs in the last year.
Among children aged 11 to 15 living in England:
- Similar to previous years, drug use increases with age; among 11 year olds 3 per cent reporting taking drugs in the last month compared with 17 per cent of 15 year olds.
- European figures show that 38 per cent of 15 and 16 year olds in the UK had tried cannabis – one of the highest rates among 35 European countries.
In Staffordshire, there were 2,492 recorded drug offences in 2005/06, a 31.4% increase over the last 3 years. Taking illegal drugs also carries a legal risk. Being caught in possession of class A drugs may carry a penalty of 7 years imprisonment, while supplying class A drugs can mean life imprisonment. Sentences for supply and possession of class B and class C drugs can be similar. Supplying means giving or selling drugs to other people. Giving small amounts of drugs to friends can be classed as supplying drugs even if no money is involved (Substance Misuse and Community Safety in Staffordshire, August 2007, final report).
Types of drugs
For an A-Z of drugs go to http://www.talktofrank.com/home_html.aspx. This provides detailed description of different types of drugs, effects, appearance and use, and cost.
Pregnancy and drugs
Women who use drugs while they are pregnant risk their baby being born addicted to drugs and risk damaging the health of their babies. Risks include:
- Miscarriage;
- Slowing growth of the baby leading to low birth weight;
- Premature labour - baby being premature;
- Stillbirth;
- The baby has withdrawal symptoms after birth;
- Possible abnormalities of the baby when it is born.
Further information about the effects of drugs on pregnancy available here.
Providers of substance misuse services in Staffordshire:
- Addaction www.addaction.org.uk
7 Fellgate Court
Newcastle under Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 2UA
Tel: 01782 637658
- Adsis (Alcohol & Dependency Specialists) www.adsis.org.uk/
2 Hargreaves Court
Dyson Way
Staffordshire Technology Park
Stafford
ST18 0WN
Tel: 08445 617079
- Burton Addiction Centre www.bacandoconnor.co.uk
126 Station Street
Burton on Trent
Staffordshire
DE14 1BG
Tel: 01283 537280
- O’Connor Centre
35 Clayton Road
Newcastle under Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 3AF
Tel: 01782 615590
- Staffordshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) Tel: 01785 223176 (24 hours)
- South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Tel: 01785 257888
National help and support:
For information about drugs from NHS Direct, please type "drugs" into the search box and click on go to proceed.
The Department of Health: a resource for a wide range of professionals and managers to help in the delivery of drug prevention and treatment services..
For free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day talk to FRANK. If you're deaf you can Textphone FRANK on 0800 917 8765. Or email frank@talktofrank.com.
The Home Office: Information about national drug strategy together with useful links, in particular to the national drug strategy website and to the public drugs information website.
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