So, what is B:DAT all about?

B:DAT pulls together people such as the Police, Health Services, Schools and the Youth Service to deal with drugs issues and also provide drug services for adults, families & young people around the County.

What do you do as a B:DAT worker?

My time as a B:DAT worker is spent working with drugs services to make sure young people can get advice, information and support when needed. I also get out and about to talk to young people about their experiences of drugs/alcohol and what they would like to see from B:DAT and drugs services.

Is there anything special about Mid Beds in terms of the drugs work you do? (Is it very different from the other areas of Bedfordshire?)

B:DAT have services that work all over Bedfordshire to make sure young people can access local advice, information and support. At this time, we have services working in rural Mid Beds as well as Flitwick, Biggleswade and Sandy. We will be developing services in rural Mid Beds over the next few years. If you want to speak to someone about a drug issue and you can't get to a service in Mid Beds, your best starting point will be the numbers & websites at the bottom of the page.

Should young people in Mid Beds worry about drugs?

Drugs can be a worry for young people, especially if you are not aware of the facts. It is important that you know facts about drugs so you can make the right choices in order to live your life to the full. For example, could you answer the following?

   Q. How many years in prison could you get for dealing         cannabis??
   Q. Do I have to take drugs because my mates do??
   Q. Could you die from the first time you inhale solvents??
        The phone numbers & websites at the bottom of this page will         be able to provide you with the answers.

How can young people keep themselves and their friends safe?

Different people react to drugs in different ways. There is no way of knowing what is in a drug before you take it. This means that there is always a risk when you take any drug. If things do go wrong, it is important to know what to do in an emergency.

If a person has taken drugs it can make them tense and panicky. For drugs such as Cannabis or Cocaine/Crack, you should:
- Calm them down and tell them that the way they feel will soon pass.
- Tell them to breathe deeply and slowly.
- Try and get them to sit somewhere quiet without bright lights.

If a person has taken drugs that can make people very sleepy such as Heroin or solvents, you should:
- Keep them awake by talking to them slowly and quietly so that you don't panic or startle them.
- Do not give them coffee or alcohol.

How can people find out more?

If you want to learn more about drugs, the law, first aid and where to get help in Bedfordshire for yourself, a mate, or someone in your family, the following details maybe of use!

For information on drugs and young peoples services in Bedfordshire, please call the B:DAT Communities Line
on 01234 276051, or visit www.bdat.org.uk

For free and confidential info and advice on drugs, the law and services in your local area, call FRANK 24/7
on 0800 77 66 00, or visit www.talktofrank.com