Youth SAFE

Support for young people with substance use.

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.

Allerdale and Copeland

Barry Arnison
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 0788 794 7621

Carlisle (North)

Louise Oliver
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07899 097 287

Manager (Cumberland)

Abi Macrae
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 07825 340514

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.