You will not be arrested for turning up for treatment, including returning used equipment to the Needle Exchange.
You will not be reported to the police for wanting and/or receiving treatment from a drug or alcohol service.

Bolton’s drug and alcohol services have confidentiality policies that they believe to be of vital importance in order to offer effective treatment. They do not report people to the police.

It must be remembered, though, that drug and alcohol services are not “no-go” areas. If you have an outstanding warrant, have been involved in a crime or if the police want to question you, they can pick you up at a drug or alcohol service.

etting treatment for a drug problem is not a reason to take children away from their parents. Children are only removed from their parents as a last resort if there are sound reasons to believe that they are at risk of harm.

Drug and alcohol service workers know that not everyone who goes for treatment will be successful the first time, and that just like lots of other life changes such as stopping smoking or losing weight, some people need many attempts before they start to succeed.

So, you can return to treatment. If you want to talk to one of the staff about your concerns – maybe you’re worried that you won’t be allowed back or maybe you’re concerned that you won’t be taken seriously – ring them up and talk things through with them.

No. Methadone is only one of many treatment options available.

Treatment does not just involve medication, and where medication is part of your programme, you will receive what is believed to be the most appropriate for you.

However, treatment also involves counselling, group work activities and other non-medical options.

Your key worker/assessment worker will be able to give you more details.

All of the services listed work confidentially. Nobody is told that you are receiving treatment for a drug or alcohol problem unless you agree to them being told or unless there is a specific reason why someone else has to be told. These specific reasons are

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  • If it is believed that you are at risk of serious harm
  • If it is believed that you are a risk of serious harm to someone else
  • If you are being investigated with regard to a serious crime

If confidentiality is going to be broken for any of these reasons, you will be told why and who will be informed.

It is a very good idea to get informed about drugs. 360° will be able to give you the most up-to-date information and there are a number of informative web sites including
www.talktofrank.com
www.drugsfaqs.org
www.drugscope.org.uk

360° is a specialist service for young people. They will see your child as long as your child agrees to be seen. If your child does not want to be seen at this time, 360° will offer you support, information and advice.

Yes. Contact the Harbour Project on (01204) 62274 for more details.

You can always talk to someone at Childline (0800 1111) about any worries you have.  You might also be able to talk to an adult that you trust – this could be someone like a teacher or a school nurse.  Remember, they won’t automatically tell other people, but they do have to if they think that you might be at risk. You can also talk to workers at 360 if you are worried about a parent's or sibling's drug or alcohol use.

Drugs are put into three classes (A, B or C), depending on how dangerous they are thought to be.

Class A drugs are thought to be the most dangerous and include heroin and other opiates like opium and morphine, cocaine, crack cocaine, LSD, ecstasy and magic mushrooms.

Class B drugs include amphetamine (speed).

Class C drugs include cannabis.

No. Cannabis is still controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act as a Class C drug which means that it is illegal to possess it, to sell it and to grow it.

The police have a duty to take any person under 18 who is suspected of an offence involving cannabis, which includes having a tiny amount in their possession, to the police station.

Where a caution may once have been given, there is now a three-step process of reprimand, warning and prosecution depending on how serious the offence is.

Knowing that one, or both, of your parents has a drink or drug problem can be a scary and lonely experience.

Workers at 360° are able to talk to you about any concerns, worries or problems you have with drugs, whether it’s about your own use or someone else’s, including your parent’s.

It is very difficult to give a clear answer to this question. There are a number of lists of signs and symptoms that have been published in recent years which include things like mood swings, tiredness, spots around the mouth and nose and lack of interest in school or organised activities. The problem with such lists is that the signs and symptoms are quite natural symptoms of being a teenager and it can be damaging to make accusations based on them. Unfortunately, the only way that you will know for certain is if they tell you.

However, if your relationship with your child is positive, honest and based on mutual trust and respect then they will feel able to talk to you if they have concerns about drug use, alcohol use or any other issues.

All of the services listed above want to make sure that you have the best treatment for you as quickly as possible. That cannot always happen immediately. Finding out, or assessing, what might work best for you can take time. However, you will be supported during any waiting time and get advice and information about what you can do until your treatment programme is set up.

Any delay in receiving treatment can be frustrating and can feel like it’s personal. Staff at the drug services understand this and do try to get what’s right for you at the earliest possible opportunity. They will also keep you informed of any waiting time