Warwickshire (CYPDAS)

Important Nitrous Oxide changes

The law on Nitrous oxide has now changed, it is now a controlled drug. Possession of nitrous oxide is now illegal and is classified as a Class C drug.

It will be a criminal offence to be found in possession of the drug where its intended use is to be wrongfully inhaled, ‘to get high’. Importation, exportation, production and supply is also an offence.

Sharing and passing Nitrous oxide to friends or others will now also come under this law.

Those who use Nitrous oxide legitimately will not be prosecuted, such as dentists and doctors. If in possession of nitrous oxide, it will be for the defendant to show that they fall within the scope of the exception. Read more below.

Hospital Liaison work

Compass are completing reactionary work with young people that present with substance use/alcohol difficulties within a hospital setting, specifically A&E. We visit University Hospital (UHCW) in Coventry and George Eliot Hospital in Nuneaton to offer harm reduction, brief interventions, and hidden harm support. We can also refer into the core team to offer continued and consistent support to prevent further crisis situations or hospital interventions.

NEET

Compass have a designated NEET worker. Gemma works with individuals whose drug and alcohol use has impacted their education, employment or training. She works in partnership with other services to provide opportunities in this area for our young people.

NALOXONE

As part of our harm reduction aim, compass have started to distribute naloxone to our young people and their families.

Harm reduction

People should not take pills, powder or gas:

• They should take a small amount (perhaps a quarter or one small line or inhale small puff ) and wait for it to take effect before further use.
• Don’t use alone and look out for your friends.
• Avoid mixing drugs and using alcohol at the same time.
• It’s important to dispose of them where no-one else can get hurt by them: an amnesty bin or pharmacy (not down the toilet or in a rubbish bin).

About the service

A free, confidential substance misuse service for children and young people who need support around their own or another person’s drug or alcohol use. The service works with anyone between 5 and 25 years of age in Warwickshire. 

Our caring and friendly health and wellbeing workers are available at a time that suits you and at a place where you feel comfortable. 

Compass Stars (our hidden harm service)

Supporting children and young people who have been affected by another’s drug and alcohol use.

We offer age appropriate information, 1:1 support, workforce training, group work, health promotion, early intervention, whole family support where appropriate, safety planning and a multi agency approach.

Please find further details of our Compass Stars service here:

How the service can help you

Contact us if you need support:

• With your own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use
• Because you are affected by someone else’s drug or alcohol use

How you can access the service

If you’re a young person, parent or professional and would like to refer yourself or an individual in to the service, you can do so by using the online referral form below.

If you feel that you, or someone you know, would benefit from our support, you would like some more information about the service, or to talk to a member of the team before referring, you can get in touch anytime via:

• Our confidential call back request form
• ChatHealth confidential text messaging on 07507 331 525
• Telephone on 01788 578 227 to speak to one of our friendly team

Our office hours are Mon-Thurs 09:00 to 17:00 and Friday 09:00 to 16:30 or we will get back to you within one working day outside these hours.

Urgent Mental Health support – provided by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust

For more information please see the leaflet below:

Feedback

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Meet the team