THE number of young people admitted to hospital in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole due to substance misuse has hit an all-time high.

Public Health England date shows 210 people aged between 15 and 24-years-old were admitted to hospital in the local authority area as a result of substance misuse between 2018/19 and 2020/21.

This was up from 195 between 2016/17 and 2018/19.

In the last eight years, drug misuse hospital admissions for those aged between 15 and 24 in Bournemouth have risen by 24 per cent from 169 admissions between 2011/12 and 2013/14.

The lowest total since 2011/12 was between 2012/13 and 2014/15, when 166 people between 15 and 24 were admitted to hospital as a result of substance misuse.

Nuno Albuquerque, consultant treatment lead for the UK Addiction Treatment Group said: “Unfortunately the trend in hospital admissions for drug abuse in young adults living in Bournemouth has been steadily rising and rising over the last few years.

“This is a trend we’d prefer to see going in the opposite direction and begs the question as to what is being done locally to support this young, vulnerable generation with drug abuse? Clearly, not enough.”

A spokesperson for Public Health Dorset said: “We know that there are a number of factors which may contribute to someone’s vulnerability to developing drug and alcohol problems, including deprivation, emotional health and wellbeing and physical health.

“We work closely with partners to support people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who are affected by drug and alcohol misuse, and to minimise hospital admissions, deaths and other harms related to this.

“We Are With You provide support for adults and young people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole who have issues with drugs or alcohol to make positive behavioural changes to improve their lives.

“The service works with people on their own goals, whether that's general advice, cutting down drug or alcohol use, or stopping completely.

“Support is also available to people affected by the drug or alcohol use of a friend of family member.”

We Are With You can be reached om 01202 558855 or online at wearewithyou.org.uk.