‘Steps To Cope’ Service

The STEPS TO COPE service is for young people aged 11-25 who are affected by a parent or family member alcohol and/or drug use or mental health problems.

The service offers:

  • Support for young people aged 11-25 alongside their family members;
  • Individual 1 to 1 support sessions;
  • Online information, self-care tools and resources;
  • Information and awareness sessions designed to be delivered in education and community settings for use by mental health practitioners;
  • A young persons participation group.

For further info:  email stc@acsert.biz   telephone 0800 2545 123   visit www.ascert.biz

Download Poster

Drugs and Alcohol NI

The Public Health Agency continues to commission a range of drug and alcohol intervention and prevention services across Northern Ireland. These services offer;

  • Drug and alcohol awareness and service information sessions for organisations/networks
  • Targeted life skills programmes for children and young people aged 11-25 years at risk of or experiencing substance use issues
  • Youth Engagement Services for children and young people aged 11-25 years. Young people attending the YES can receive information, advice and support on a range of issues including:
  • Mental health and Emotional wellbeing Issues: Depression, Low Self-Esteem, Self-harm, Family Problems, Educational (School) Problems;
  • Wider Personal and Health Issues: Drugs and Alcohol (including tobacco), Relationships, Sexual Health, Healthy Eating;
  • Social Welfare Issues: Benefits, Housing, Debts, Employment; and,
  • Practical Issues: Further Education, Careers, Money Management, Independent Living Skills.

The service also acts as a supportive signposting and referral agency for children

and young people with additional support needs.

For more information visit Drugs and Alcohol | NI (drugsandalcoholni.info) or contact your local trust area connections team at Contact Us | Drugs and Alcohol (drugsandalcoholni.info).

Drug and Alcohol Service Directories

Drug and alcohol misuse affects individuals, families and communities across Northern Ireland.

In recognition that no agency can address this issue alone, five multi-agency partnerships (Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams) exist across the region.

In 2015, PHA brought together the five local DACTs to form a Regional Steering Group to work collectively to address drug and alcohol misuse by developing events, initiatives and resources.

DACTs are Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams. DACTs are made up of statutory and community agencies with an interest in, or need to, address drug and alcohol issues in the Trust area. There is a DACT for each Health Trust area in Northern Ireland, and each has a Connections team. We (Connections) support the development and implementation of each DACT’s action plan. We also offer a range of services as outlined on the NI DACTS website

Your local DACT Connections Service can be contacted in relation to any alcohol and/or drug-related concern or query that you may have — they will be able to advise you on how they, or your local DACT, can help.

There are a range of early intervention, prevention and treatment services available in each locality area. For further information on services in your area please see the local drug and alcohol service directories below.