INTRODUCTION PREVENTION

In this topic we will be looking at and discussing how to prevent social exclusion in young people and in particular which approaches and common values are important to the young person, the people who work with them and society in general. INTRODUCTION PREVENTION

These are the subjects we will be discussing in this topic. The cake is divided into four different “wedges”, where all of the parts have equal importance and link together to help in the prevention of dropping out of education, which can lead to social exclusion and other issues. PREVENTION Drugs and alcohol addiction Healthy living Bullying Motivation and self esteem

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE/ADDICTION Drugs and alcohol addiction Healthy living Bullying Motivation and self esteem

Why? What are they taking? What can I do? Can I stop them? Who can I talk to? CONCERNS

Other factors in young people’s drug and alcohol use/abuse/addiction. PREVENTION

Bulgaria: 73% of parents think that their children have never taken drugs. When questioned however, only 27% of teenagers say they have never tried any drugs. 87% Bulgarian children under 16 have used alcohol and 39% cigarettes. (2011). The most commonly used drugs in Bulgaria are cannabis and amphetamines. EUROPEAN STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

Germany: The substances most commonly abused are nicotine and alcohol million people are addicted to alcohol (according to the 2014 Drogen- und Suchtbericht of the Federal Drugs Commissioner). Binge drinking among teenagers has been one of the main concerns in Germany over the last couple of years. The last two annual reports of the Federal Drugs Com-missioner pointed out the alarming situation concerning the misuse of Chrystal Meth (amphetamine). Buying drugs online is beginning to be a problem, this is also an issue in the UK as it is hard to monitor the products and they are sold as “legal highs.” About persons in Germany are said to be addicted to cannabis. EUROPEAN STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

Italy: 66.6% of the population aged 14 and older had consumed at least one alcoholic drink per year in This proportion is unchanged from last year and down compared to 10 years earlier (70.2%). From 2002 to 2012, the number of daily users of alcohol decreased by 24.6%, especially among women (-32.6%). Increasing proportion of those who report drinking alcohol without food (from 23.1% in 2002 to 26.9% in 2012) and those who consume occasionally (from 35.8% in 2002 to 42.2% in 2012). Parents whose alcohol consumption is uncontrolled, influence the behaviour of children. 17.4% of the year-old boys living in households where at least one parent adopts risk behaviours in alcohol consumption have also unmoderated drinking habits, while this percentage drops to 9.2% among young people living with parents who do not drink or who drink moderately. EUROPEAN STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

Sweden:  The most commonly used drugs are cannabis and amphetamines. Also used commonly in Sweden is Spice.  Five inhabitants in have a problem with drugs or alcohol misuse. And the most common concerns relating to substance misuse are drunk driving, criminality, social exclusion and medical effects, such as psychological issues. EUROPEAN STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

UK: The Centre of Social Justice has criticised the government for what it calls an "inadequate response to heroin addiction" in the UK, after it published a new report suggesting that the UK has some of the highest rates of opiate addiction and dependence on alcohol. According to the report: Alcohol and drug abuse costs the UK £21 billion and £15 billion respectively 40,000 drug addicts in England have been stranded on the substitute methadone Rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions in England doubles in a decade One in 12 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 in the UK - more than 670,000 - said they have taken "legal highs" or new psychoactive substances (NPS) In England 6,486 people were treated in 2011/12 for abusing these types of drugs, an increase of 39% since 2005/06 Figures revealed deaths involving "legal highs" in England and Wales increased from 29 in 2011 to 52 in 2012 EUROPEAN STATISTICS AND INFORMATION

Physical warning signs of drug abuse bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than usual changes in appetite or sleep patterns. Sudden weight loss or weight gain deterioration of physical appearance, personal grooming habits unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Behavioural signs of drug abuse drop in attendance and performance at work or school unexplained need for money or financial problems. May borrow or steal to get it. engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviours sudden change in friends, favourite hangouts, and hobbies frequently getting into trouble (fights, accidents, illegal activities) TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Psychological warning signs of drug abuse unexplained change in personality or attitude sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out” appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason TYPICAL SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Could the symptoms displayed be as a result of something else? Some symptoms of drug and alcohol abuse in young people can be the same as self harming, some mental health issues, bullying or just being a teenager! It is therefore important not to assume that a young person is addicted to a substance just because they are showing certain behaviours. SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR ANOTHER ISSUE?

Bulgaria: Free national helpline for advice and guidance on drug and alcohol addiction. National Addiction Centre (Part of project “Hear the Child”) School counsellor5s, medical and educational professionals in schools. Peer education is also proving successful. PLACES TO GO FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE EUROPE

Germany: Drug counselling centres nationwide. It is part of the duties of the municipal authorities to establish a drug counselling centre in a town. Federal Drugs Commissioner link: Kontakt und Servicewww.drogenbeauftragte.de PLACES TO GO FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE EUROPE

Italy: Servizi di Alcologia presso ASL o ospedali Servizi per le tossicodipendenze (SerT) Associazioni di Alcolisti Anonimi o altre organizzazioni Associazioni di familiari di Alcolisti Associazione Italiana Club Alcolisti in Trattamento › Indirizzi utili › Ser.T e Comunità PLACES TO GO FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE EUROPE

Sweden: (Teenagers guide) Parents against Drugs National association of Relatives against drugs Parent’s helpline Save the Children’s parental phone BRIS (Children’s rights in society) adult phone School nurses, youth clinics, Centre for abuse, Social Services. PLACES TO GO FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE EUROPE

United Kingdom: The UK's leading specialist drug and alcohol treatment charity. Our addiction services are free and confidential Where professionals can find all the resources they need to better support families. We give people the skills, resilience and support they need to achieve stable and sustainable lives free from addiction. PLACES TO GO FOR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE EUROPE

This training program can be used by everyone who in their work come in contact with young people, and above all to personnel groups, often multidisciplinary, who will be able to, based on the same values and knowledge, cooperate in their work with young people at risk of social exclusion.

This project was developed by: Thank you for your attention! This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication [communication] reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.