Young people using alcohol or drugs will receive improved access
to support through new national standards.
Developed in conjunction with young people across Scotland, the
standards set out what under-25s should expect when seeking help.
They establish core principles - including early intervention
before problems escalate, access to treatment and recovery for
those most at risk, consistent relationships with support workers
and flexible access through online, phone or face-to-face
services.
During a visit to The GIVIT Youth Recovery Service in Hamilton,
which helped draw up the standards, Drugs and Alcohol Policy
Minister said:
“I welcome these standards as a vital step in ensuring
accessible, person-centred and trauma-informed support for young
people.
"Although drug-related deaths in people under-25 have reduced in
recent years, I often hear from people that they started to
experience problems with alcohol or drugs in their youth. If we
can intervene and support earlier then we can prevent the
development of more serious harms and death.
“These standards set out how local services can support young
people to stay safe, reduce their substance use and recover. They
give professionals and commissioners clear, practical guidance to
deliver care that meets each young person's needs and set a
benchmark for best practice, ensuring treatment and support that
truly makes a difference.
“They will make sure reliable support is available at the
earliest possible opportunity, when challenges begin, not after
they spiral. They will ensure support is high-quality
and young people are kept safe and supported.”
The standards address geographical variations. They require all
areas to provide person-centred support that recognises
individual circumstances, cultural background and wider life
needs.
Key features include the ability to self-refer, choice of
appointment times and locations, and support for families.
The GIVIT Youth Recovery Service Project Manager Mary Thomson
said:
“These standards will help create more coordinated pathways to
support, ensuring access to the right help at the right time.
Strong partnership working between services will make it easier
to provide consistent, high-quality support, leading to more
effective planning and delivery of services aligned with the
National Drugs Mission across Scotland.”
GIVIT Youth Advisory Panel Member Callum said:
''Standards for young people nationally around drug and alcohol
support services is really exciting and a step in the right
direction for recovery in Scotland. It will make services more
accessible and help challenge the stigma around youth recovery."
GIVIT Youth Advisory Panel Member George said:
“Ensuring accessibility to information related to services for
both the young person and their support network is key to success
in recovery. Being inclusive to all without judgment will
encourage young people from various backgrounds and circumstances
to seek help.”
Background
Standards for Young People
Accessing Treatment or Support for Alcohol or Drugs
The standards were created through extensive co-design workshops
led by an independent researcher from Edinburgh University. Young
people emphasised the importance of starting services before
there is a problem, building consistent, respectful
relationships, having time to engage at their own pace, providing
a variety of services and receiving help free from stigma and
judgement.
