In Practice: Know how - Substance misuse

2 June 2009 1 min read Health

All children's centres and extended schools will come into contact with families affected by alcohol or drug problems. These families can be particularly vulnerable and may need extra support. There is plenty centres and schools can do to help such families.

Children's centres and schools should know what support and treatment services are available locally for both children and adults with drug and alcohol problems. Your local Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), council or Council for Voluntary Services should have that information. Often services are combined but sometimes there are separate providers for drug and alcohol services.

Be clued up about the full range of services on offer including local branches of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous and organisations offering wider support such as Home Start. Some areas have a local helpline or there are national lines like Drinkline on 0800 9178282 or the Frank helpline on 0800 776600. National organisations that can advise staff or offer direct support to families include Addaction, Families Anonymous, Adfam, Alcohol Concern, and Drugscope.

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