The availability and use of illegal drugs as well as drug related crime in Hounslow has quite markedly increased in the course of the last decade.

This general trend of increase has been equally mirrored amongst the young members of society. Figures indicating the availability of drugs are no less disquieting, and in fact an official government report emphatically declared that: ‘Illegal drugs are easily available in Britain, despite the large amounts of public money pumped into attempts to stem the supply of illegal drugs.’

In accordance with HAAYA’s aim to educate young people on health issues, particularly in relation to substance abuse, we conducted research to show the pattern of drug abuse in our community, a few years ago. The summary of findings were as follows:

Virtually all of those young people interviewed had been offered or at least encouraged to use drugs.

1. 15% of them had been offered Crack and 13% of them had used it at some point.
2. 7% of the youth had tried Cocaine at some point, and 2/3rds of them had used it within the last year and one third within the last month.
3. 66% of them had been offered cannabis and 40% of them had used it at some point.
4. 9% of the youth had tried solvents at some point, especially the younger age group (13-17).
5. 9% thought it safe to use any kind of drugs.
6. Over 70% of the youth knew someone using drugs.
7. 50% of them were very concerned about drugs being used in their area.
8. 85% wanted to see other steps being taken towards drugs prevention or treatment happening in their area and 83% of them wanted HAAYA to offer it.
9. 72% of them thought providing more education and training about drugs for parents and youths would be very effective.
10. 50% of them didn’t know where they could turn for information, help and advice about drugs.

Recent feedback suggests that things are still the same and some young people just don’t get the message to say no to drugs, until its too late. HAAYA still offers many emotional and practical interventions. These include one to one advice, diversionary activities and guidance on a variety of issues. This service decisively aims to assist and inform young people, in particular groups who at risk and in need of vital care and support.

In building on the previous findings, HAAYA aims to embark on a further research study, which will help provide a more detailed account of substance misuse in our communities.

If you are an organisation or individual who would like to participate or just share your experiences then call 020 8569 6350 or drop by at 111 Kingsley Road.