Drug Awareness Campaign Launched
The government has launched a new drugs awareness campaign to alert young people to the dangers of ketamine, synthetic opioids in counterfeit medicines and adulterated THC vapes.
Full press notice available here: Young people given stark warning on deadly risks of taking drugs – GOV.UK
As part of the campaign, experts will highlight particular risks including:
• The potentially irreparable damage ketamine can cause to your bladder
• The dangers of counterfeit medicines containing deadly synthetic opioids purchased online
• The risks from so-called ‘THC vapes’ that often contain dangerous synthetic cannabinoids like spice rather than THC.
FRANK pages:
Page to request factsheets: New frank campaign launches today to raise awareness of the risks of prolonged use of Ketamine. | FRANK
Link to harms on synthetic opioids: Drugs cut with dangerous substances | FRANK
Ketamine: Ketamine | Effects of Ketamine | FRANK
Synthetic cannabinoids: Synthetic cannabinoids | Effects and Risks | FRANK
Links to film content:
Ketamine: Ket: While each high lasts minutes. For some the damage to their bladder could last forever.
Synthetic opioids: Synthetic Opioids: What are they and why are they so dangerous?
Resources will be available for schools and universities and local public health teams with content available on FRANK, the drug information website. Influencer content will be posted on social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
There are a range of drug and alcohol support services in Newcastle.
- Access to harm reduction advice (including naloxone), and specialist drug and alcohol treatment and recovery support can be accessed through Newcastle Treatment and Recovery service Newcastle Treatment and Recovery (NTaR) – CNTW033 – Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. This includes specialist support for children and young people who will be seen in community venues. If you are supporting someone with drug or alcohol use issues, please assertively refer into support, or on overdose or risk issue, please discuss with the treatment service. There is also access to community and residential rehabilitation as part of the drug and alcohol offer.
- For family and carer support, access is through Newcastle PROPs PROPS – Family Recovery Service.
- More information about drugs and alcohol and their effects can be accessed through Honest information about drugs | FRANK (talktofrank.com)
Local Drug Information System (LDIS)
The LDIS is in place across the Northumbria Police Force area to ensure responsiveness to risks and threats of changing drug supply, including access to testing and toxicology for drugs that might pose a risk. If you have any information around the changing supply and use, please report to Northumbria Police via the ‘Report’ page of their website Report | Northumbria Police, by calling 101 or submitting the Police reporting form which is attached.
If you would like further information about any of the above contact Kellie Wilson, Harm Reduction and Social Inclusion, Public Health.
