Drugs, Alcohol & Smoking

Substance Use

Information and signposting to useful resources on harmful use of substances.

The use of substances such as alcohol, drugs and smoking can impact on the lives of both the user and their families and peers. Shifts in behaviours can depend on trends, lifestyle, and everyday living, particularly in today’s climate when the cost of living is high. When supporting young people and their wider network, some of the resources below may be of help.

Drugs

There are many risks of drug use but for children these can be life changing.

For practitioners who work or volunteer with children and their families, understanding how to safeguard a child or a young person from their use of drugs can make early intervention strategies much easier to navigate.

Clear communicaion, support and guidance will help a child to open up and feel like they are being heard. Take a look at some of the resources below for protocols, signposting and guidance.

Learning Exchange:
Drug Awareness

December 2025

Take a look at the learning exchange which had speakers from Turning Point and West Yorkshire Police take us through the latest trends, risks, dangers, referral and treatment options and much more.

Please email wscpevents if you would like a copy of the slides

To view all our learning exchanges please click here

To learn about what you found interesting and what your key takeways were, view the infograph of the evaluation report here

Talk to Frank

Frank is a national service that provides facts, advice and support to young people on drugs and alcohol.

Take a look at TalkToFrank.com for honest information on all drugs, their effects and the law.

Cannabis Edibles

A short but very informative presentation from West Yorkshire Drugs Intelligence Team 2022

All you need to know to safeguard children and young people around the dangers of using cannabis edibles.

Alcohol

Many children experiment with alcohol which can pose a significant risk to their health, development and safety.

Alcohol can impair judgement, increase vulnerability to harm and lead to risky behaviours that can compromise safety and wellbeing for a child. Its use can heighten exposure to exploitation, accidents, and abuse.

Protecting children means promoting environments where they are free from substances that undermine their safety and future potential.

Take a look at the resources below for more information.

Who's in charge?

Hard hitting alcohol awareness campaign from Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership

This award winning campaign was in response to increasing concerns that growing numbers of babies and children were at risk of serious harm because of the way some parents and carers consume alcohol, both at home and at outdoor gatherings. The campaign urges parents, and others with responsibility for children, to be aware of a range of potentially dangerous consequences if no adult remains sufficiently sober and aware of children’s needs or whereabouts.

To view the presentation slides click here

Take me to the website for more information on campaign materials

Find local help

If you are worried that a young person may need help with their drug and/or alcohol use or are being affected by someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use, you can visit Inspiring Futures or directly make a referral here.

They can offer support to make changes, whether it’s to cut down, quit, gain control, or just to learn more about the risks and effects of taking drugs and alcohol, they offer a free and confidential service to advise and guide.

If you are aware of an adult who may need help with their drug and/or use you can visit Inspiring Recovery They offer advice and support to help stop or reduce drug and/or alcohol use, and minimise its impact on their health and well-being through service hubs located across the Wakefield District.

If you think a family member or carer who is directly affected by a person’s drug and/or use and needs support you can visit Inspiring Families .

For a range of resources developed by Turning Point for Practitioners, visit Resources

Smokefree Wakefield

Beyond the well-documented physical harms, such as respiratory issues, addiction, and long-term illness, smoking can increase vulnerability in other ways.

Exposure to nicotine and harmful substances can impair development, while the social environments linked to smoking may heighten risks of exploitation, peer pressure, and unsafe behaviors. From a safeguarding perspective, promoting a smoke-free environment is essential to protect children from harm and support their right to grow up healthy and safe.