Drugs, alcohol and other substances - young people
Many young people experiment with drugs, alcohol and other substances. This does not always lead to addiction or other problems, but parents who find out about their child's drug use may still be worried.
If you are a young person who has tried drugs, or knows someone who has tried drugs and would like some advice, you can contact Connexions Humber (link opens in new window) or call 01482 300 300.
More information for young people on drink and drugs is available on the Clued up in Hull website (link opens in a new window).
There are two groups young people can go to for help and advice -
12 - 9teen
12-9teen (link opens in new window) - a confidential and friendly service for young people in eastern Hull.
ReFresh
ReFresh (previously StepWise) - is a team which offers information, advice and support about drugs, solvents and alcohol. ReFresh is part of the young people's support service (YPSS). YPSS also works with young people who need different kinds of help -
Help for young people
Leaving care
Moving out of home - if you are leaving care or in need
We work with young people up to the age of 19 who live in Hull, who need support to make safer choices about drugs, solvents or alcohol. We also give advice to parents, carers, professionals or family members. However, ReFresh also acknowledges that parents often need support too. They understand the worry and concern young people’s drinking and drug use can cause and are happy to see parents to answer questions or give advice.
If you are a parent, carer or professional dealing with a young person, we can give you advice over the telephone. Call 01482 300 300 and ask for ReFresh. You don't have to give your name or the name of the young person and you can call us as many times as you like.
We also work with groups of young people who are at risk of using drugs, alcohol or solvents, of offending, being homeless, not going to school, being in care or having mental health issues. Groups are usually of between two and eight young people of similar ages and backgrounds - this means they get more from the experience. Young people can be referred to the group work by calling 01482 300 300 and asking for ReFresh, or coming to us in person.
We always respect the young person's wishes, and they need to agree to work with us before we start. We keep young peoples' information private - unless they give permission to share the information with others or they are at risk of significant harm.
After referral to ReFresh
You will be allocated a worker as soon as possible - normally within five working days, but at busy times you will be placed on a list and allocated a worker within four weeks. You will then meet with your worker weekly or fortnightly and work together on your goals.
We encourage all young people not to use drugs. But, if you are not ready to stop we will work with you on this. This may mean that we help you to cut down and to use drugs more safely.
You are entitled to stop meeting your ReFresh worker at any time. But you can contact us again if ypur situation changes and you want some support.
At ReFresh meetings
You can meet their worker at places that suit you - this could be at home, at our office or somewhere else. A worker might talk to you about what is going on in your life and what you would like help with - this may include talking about finding interesting activities to do, getting extra help with health, school or training, or finding out more about drugs and alcohol.
Shared information
We will only share information about young people with their permission (unless they are a danger or at risk of significant harm). If we do speak to carers or parents we can only discuss the outline of the work we are doing and not what the young person has said.
Feedback
We'd like to know what you think about ReFresh. You can make comments or suggestions about the service by downloading the leaflets below and returning them to us-
Compliment leaflet (size: 144.1 Kb) 
