At a time when the prevalence of legal highs is spreading, debates around drugs policy are raging and the charity itself is finding huge holes in the provision of treatment for young people, he has certainly got his work cut out.
"I have always had an interest in family, young people and children's issues," says Barnes, who studied law at university with the intention of becoming a family lawyer.
He later decided that this wasn't the best route to take if he wanted to help people and has been working for charities ever since.
Having spent 12 years working for the Child Poverty Action Group, Barnes now draws links between deprivation and the likelihood of drug abuse.
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