The main aim of Youth SAFE (Substance Awareness for Everyone) is to engage with young people aged 18 and under, with substance use. This includes:
- alcohol
- cannabis
- new psychoactive substances (NPS)
The team act as a rapid first point of contact for young people in crisis, in relation to substance use. They provide a universal early intervention service, delivering harm reduction advice to prevent the escalation of risk taking behaviour by young people.
If the person is over 18 years old, you can find out what other support is available for drug and alcohol use.
How to make a referral
We mainly receive referrals from Health and Police. However referrals can be made by other statutory or voluntary agencies or individuals.
You will need consent from the young person or their parent or carer to submit a referral.
For further information or enquiries, contact the team.
North Cumbria (Carlisle)
Abi Macrae
Email: abi.macrae@cumbria.gov.uk
Mobile: 07825 340514
West Cumbria (Allerdale and Copeland)
Barry Arnison
Email: barry.arnison@cumbria.gov.uk
Mobile: 0788 794 7621
After you've made a referral
After we get your referral, we will complete an assessment of the young person, usually within the family home.
We will aim to deliver appropriate:
- education and awareness
- harm reduction advice
If more help is needed
The Youth SAFE team are part of a multi-agency approach. If it is identified that further work is required, an Early Help Assessment will be carried out to ensure the young person receives the correct support and achieves the best outcome.