IYPDAS - Islington Young People Drug and Alcohol Service

Drugs, alcohol and addictions

If drugs, alcohol or addictions are causing you, your family or friends a problem - there are people who can help you

Islington Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service (IYPDAS), offers one-to-one support and treatment for young people under 18 years old and living in Islington, who are affected by drug and alcohol issues. The service is free and confidential, and support is also available for families.

Call 020 7527 5554 or email drugs@islington.gov.uk 

Islington Drug and Alcohol Helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can help you or someone you care about. Call them on 0808 800 0019.

At Lift and Rose Bowl there are dedicated youth workers that are on hand for advice or to simply have a chat with.

You can also find information and advice at:

Frank - honest information about drugs

Re-Solv - help with drugs and substance misuse

The Mix - advice, information and support on drink, drugs, relationships, health, wellbeing, fitness and more.

 

Legal highs

Legal highs are also known as psychoactive substances

These are drugs that produce the same or similar effects as illegal drugs but are not banned by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. To get around the law, they are often sold under the name of a different product, such as plant food or research chemicals. They are however covered by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016. 

This Act makes it illegal to supply any new psychoactive substances in the UK for human consumption, this includes selling or giving them away for free.

Just because they are legal does not mean they are safe. There are still many risks associated with taking them. These products usually haven’t been researched and tested to find out the effects and whether or not they should be made illegal. This means they could be dangerous.

You can find more information about psychoactive substances at Frank.

Smoking? Need help to stop?

If you want to give up smoking and are finding it hard, there are local services that can help.

Breathe - the 'stop smoking service', is a free service available in many locations across Islington. You can contact the service on T: 020 3633 2609.

Stop Smoking London is a helpline and website for Londoners with helpful information, tools and resources.

The NHS also has a smokefree app to help you stop smoking, as well as help and advice on their website, including facts about vaping.

Know the facts about cannabis

Cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug in the world, including the UK, where it is classified as ‘Class B’ and can carry heavy penalties for people caught selling or being in possession of it.

Skunk Cannabis

People who enjoy using cannabis may not realise that they are using a form called skunk, which is more dangerous than other less widely available forms. 

The video below 'Skunk cannabis: what you need to know' explains how skunk differs from other forms of cannabis, and how those differences make for a much stronger and riskier form of the drug, and why it is so much more dangerous than other forms of cannabis.

Don't forget, if you are affected by any drug issues you can get help and support from Islington Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service (IYPDAS)

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