Over 140 young people received treatment for substance misuse in 2022/23 with service praised for "low" drop-out rate

145 young people in Gateshead received treatment for substance abuse between 2022/23.
-Credit: (Image: David Jones/PA)


Between 2022/23, 145 young people received interventions for their substance misuse in Gateshead, documents say.

A report due to be heard at Gateshead Council's families overview and scrutiny committee, states that over 140 young people received treatment for substance misuse through Positive Futures Gateshead between 2022 and 2023. Change Grow Live, the charity behind the service, was awarded the contract by the council in November 2022.

Data shows there were around 80 successful "treatment exits" in 2022/23, alongside a "low" dropout of around 20, from the service, known locally as Positive Futures Gateshead.

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However, the report stated: "It should be noted that for those young people that complete treatment, they are not always substance-free and may still be occasional users."

The report continued: "They will successfully complete treatment if they achieve their treatment goals and outcomes, as determined by them in their care plan, such as a reduction in their substance misuse."

The three prevalent substances of concern are cannabis, nicotine, and alcohol, which according to the report has been the trend for some years. Ecstasy, cocaine, and codeine were also logged but at significantly lower levels.

According to the report, the service has also been given positive feedback from young people involved. One anonymised compliment read: "My sessions are so much fun, I hope we can see each other in the summer holidays
too."

Another wrote: "I like the flexibility around certain topics and how my worker approaches them to make sure I am comfortable."

The largest source of referrals for substance assistance came from Gateshead Council's social care and health services. Referrals were also made from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, following some young people presenting at A&E whilst under the influence.

The gender divide between the young people who have received treatment has remained fairly consistent, with the 2022/23 rates at 55% male and 45% female.

Moira Richardson, public health advanced practitioner at Gateshead Council, said: “The low dropout rate of young people receiving treatment for substance abuse in Gateshead is a credit to the exemplary partnership working between local health, social care and voluntary sectors.

“At the heart of Positive Futures Gateshead is the principle of putting young people at the centre of their own treatment. This means that young people referred to the service can define their own aims and goals and increase their independence, resilience and confidence while receiving support from Change Grow Live.

“We know that substance misuse rarely occurs in isolation and is often symptomatic of wider problems, which is why a person-centred holistic approach is so important for successfully supporting long-term change. Working with our partners and commissioned providers, we help to address the individual needs of the young people, throughout and beyond the completion of their care plan.

“Any young person, parent, carer or professional who works with young people in Gateshead can refer into the service without judgement.”