‘We’ll keep up the fight against drugs’, says Dorset charity boss (From Bournemouth Echo)

‘We’ll keep up the fight against drugs’, says Dorset charity boss

8:00pm Sunday 7th February 2010 in

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A CHARITY boss has denied that services for young people with drug and alcohol problems will suffer in the wake of funding cuts.

The Young Adults Drugs and Alcohol Service (YADAS) was set up 10 years ago to provide help for under-19s in Bournemouth and Poole whose lives have been blighted by addictions.

The service, run by the Essential Drug and Alcohol Services, is partly funded by Bournemouth and Poole councils.

A source told the Daily Echo that some members of staff who visit schools and youth clubs to provide education on the dangers of substance abuse had been told that they would lose their jobs in April.

“The plan is that teachers and youth workers will take over this role but they are not trained and do not have the time to devote to this very valuable service,” the source said.

“We are dealing with third generation drug users who have deeply entrenched habits.

“Several hundred young people receive help every year but now this service is going to be drastically cut.”

But Mindy Crespi, chief executive of YADAS, told the Daily Echo that services would be “streamlined and resources re-tuned to deliver a more specialised service”.

She added: “We will probably be looking at some redundancies, which saddens us. But there will be a training programme to ensure that young people are not left without any support.”

A Bournemouth council spokeswoman said funding to YADAS was not being cut.

Cllr Tony Woodcock, Borough of Poole cabinet portfolio holder for children’s services, said: “Poole children’s services partners have been required to review young people’s substance misuse services due to changes in both national and local funding.

“We are working closely with provider services to consider the future impact of any changes and maintain effective services for vulnerable young people in this important area of work.”