Information and resources

Help for young people

We understand that navigating the complexities of substance misuse can be challenging, particularly for young people. That's why we have curated a comprehensive collection of resources aimed at empowering and supporting young individuals on their journey towards recovery and well-being.

Whether you or someone you know is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, we're here to offer guidance, information, and access to valuable services. Our goal is to provide a safe and inclusive space where young people can find the help they need to overcome substance misuse and lead healthier, happier lives.

Advice for children and young people

Substance and alcohol use support

National drug and alcohol support

• Adfam - national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs and alcohol.
• Talk to Frank - advice and information on drugs and alcohol.
• HumanKind - free, confidential support for alcohol, drugs, housing or mental health in friendly local places

Local drug and alcohol support

• SortIT! by Insight Enfield - a free, confidential substance misuse service for children and young people up to the age of 25 years old in Enfield who need support around their own or another person’s drug or alcohol (substance) use
• School Health Service in Enfield - School Health Service supports the physical and mental health of children and young people aged 5 years to 19 years who live in the Borough of Enfield

Additional support

Children and young people

• NSPCC - National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
• Child Line - support line for children and young people
• Pace - national charity working with parents and carers of sexually exploited children

Mental health

• Young Minds - leading charity providing advice and support to young people experiencing mental health problems
• Samaritans - 24 hour confidential emotional support line for individuals in need of someone to talk to
• Kooth - online mental wellbeing community

Families and parenting

• Netmums - parenting advice and peer support network
• Gingerbread - advice and practical support for single parents

Sexual health

• Brook - sexual health advice for young people under the age of 25
• Come Correct - London wide free condom distribution scheme for young people

Domestic violence

• Women's Aid - support for women and children experiencing physical, sexual or emotional abuse in their homes
• Refuge - charity providing support for abused women and children

LGBTQ

• Antidote - LGBT Drug and Alcohol Support Service
• The Albert Kennedy Trust - the LGBTQ+ youth homelessness charity
• Stonewall - information for LGBT people on local services and support groups in their communities

Other

• The Prince’s Trust - youth charity helping young people aged 13 to 30 get into jobs, education and training
• Spice Time Credits - community volunteering initiative

Help for adults

Substance misuse can have a profound impact on every aspect of a person's life, affecting their physical and mental health, relationships, career, and overall well-being. Recognizing the need for assistance is an important step towards recovery, and this collection of resources is designed to empower individuals in their journey towards a healthier, substance-free life. We invite you to explore our collection of resources and discover the tools that can help you or your loved ones on the path to recovery.

National and regional resources and support

You may find the information from the following websites useful:

• Drinkaware - drinkaware provides independent alcohol advice, information and tools to help people make better choices about their drinking
• NHS - drug addiction getting help - support and getting help with drug and alcohol misuse
• Alcohol Anonymous - information and support options for people worried about how much alcohol they are drinking
• London Friend - offers a range of services around London to support LGBT health and wellbeing including support groups and counselling
• Turning Point - supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment
• Cocaine Anonymous UK - help and support for anyone who wants to stop using cocaine
• Marijuana Anonymous - help for anyone worried about cannabis use
• Narcotics Anonymous - support for anyone who wants to stop using drugs
• Release - national charity that offers free and confidential advice about drugs and the law

Help for friends and family

• Upcoming Enfield family and friends support group – A support group for individuals concerned about a loved one's drug or alcohol misuse. Unite to offer mutual encouragement and understanding. The Lived Experience Group stands ready to provide assistance and guidance. To register your interest, or for queries about the upcoming group, please contact David Todd.
  Email: david.todd@enfield.gov.uk
  Mobile: 07356 186796
• Adfam – information and support for friends and family of people with drug or alcohol problems
• Drugfam – provides support to anyone affected by someone else's harmful use of drugs, alcohol or gambling
• Families Anonymous – support for friends and family of people with drug problems

Alcohol misuse resources

Alcohol misuse is when you drink in a way that's harmful, or when you're dependent on alcohol. Serious risks of alcohol misuse include:

• cancers of the mouth, upper throat, larynx, oesophagus, breast, liver and bowel
• stroke
• heart disease
• liver disease
• damage to the nervous system
• pancreatitis
• mental health problems

If you're concerned about your drinking or someone else's, a good first step is to see a GP.

See below for links to helpful resources if you or someone you know would like to cut down on alcohol.

Guidance and policy

• Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - alcohol and drugs at work
• ACAS - alcohol and drugs policies

Alcohol awareness information

• NHS - the risks of drinking too much
• ONE YOU - order or download free promotional resources
• Drinkaware Track and Calculate Units app
• ‘Have a little less, feel a lot better’ - campaign resources - Drinkaware
• Free Drinkaware posters and leaflets
• Club Soda - a mindful drinking movement

Campaigns

• Dry January
• Go Sober for October
• Alcohol Awareness Week (November)

Support

• List of organisations providing support around alcohol issues - NHS Choices
• Club Soda - a free online supportive community for people wanting to cut down on alcohol
• List of organisations providing treatment for substance misuse issues - NHS

Drinking days off app

Drinking above the recommended levels of 3 to 4 units of alcohol per day for men and 2 to 3 units per day for women can increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease, breast cancer, liver disease and stroke.

You can reduce the risk of becoming alcohol-dependent by breaking your drinking cycle. Start by drinking less and then try taking some days off from drinking.

The NHS Drink Free Days app is a simple and easy way to track the days you drink alcohol and the days you don’t.

Feel healthier, lose weight and save money - simply nominate days to take off drinking and get practical, daily support to help you stick to it.

Download the App here.

Needle exchange and supervised consumption

Supervised consumption and needle and syringe exchange services are available through Community Pharmacy Services across Enfield.

Supervised consumption

Aims to support service users to comply with their prescribed opiate substitute medication. As such it helps to reduce incidents of accidental death through overdose; reduce the diversion of controlled drugs into the community and supports harm reduction by reducing the need for service users to inject drugs

Needle exchange

Needle exchange services allows people who inject intravenous drugs to obtain clean sterile needles and syringes and safely dispose of the used needles and syringes. It reduces drug-related harm and the transmission of bloodborne bacterial and viral infections such as hepatitis B and C or HIV.

See map below for the pharmacies currently offering needle exchange and supervised consumption.

Report dangerous drugs in Enfield (LDIS)

If you live or work in Enfield, you can report details about any new, potent, or adulterated substances circulating in the borough via Enfield’s Local Drug Information System (LDIS).

If you are a member of the public, your submission will be anonymous. It will be used for information only.

What is LDIS?

LDIS shares and assesses information about any dangerous substance. This is regardless of their legal status.

How to report dangerous drugs

If you have any information you would like to report, please complete the form below.

Report dangerous drugs in Enfield

How we use the LDIS

Our public health team and our partners can use the LDIS to:

• evaluate information on new, potent, adulterated, or contaminated drugs
• develop suitable responses through regular assessment and grading procedures
• examine local trends and emerging drugs in the market
• provide targeted harm reduction and overdose prevention services
• issue public health warnings about these drugs to the local community