Worcestershire drugs and alcohol charity SPACE helps 900

Apr 4 2008 By Steve Hayes

A DRUG and alcohol service has helped nearly 900 young people with subtance misuse problems across Worcestershire since it started three years ago.

The service known as SPACE (Substance Prevention Acceptance Confidentiality Education) offers advice and information about drugs and alcohol and counselling for young people with substance misuse problems.

SPACE, which celebrates its third birthday this month, was set up by Worcestershire County Council and has been recognised by school inspectorate body Ofsted as one of the strongest services supporting young people in the country for its work educating young people in the area.

Since it began, the service has also given over 9,000 young people drug and alcohol education sessions. It has also provided advice and support to professionals, parents and carers across the county.

Alan Ford, service manager for SPACE, said: "I am delighted that Ofsted has recognised the hard work of the team. We couldn't have achieved this without all of their hard work which has given us the drive to work even harder for the young people that we support and make SPACE the best service in the country."

As part of its birthday celebrations, SPACE will be releasing new materials to promote the service designed by students at Worcester Technology College with the hope that young people will continue to seek help from the service.

If you are a young person and you want to talk to someone about drugs or alcohol, please contact SPACE on 0800 169 6064.

Anyone concerned about their drug use can contact FRANK on 0800 77 66 00 or log on to www.talktofrank.com