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From Stigma to Support, Changing the Conversation on Substance Use Practice Week is a time for everyone in Norfolk who works with children and young people to learn, connect, and share ideas. This May (19th–23rd), things were a little different. Practice Week was led by young people from across Norfolk, exploring the Flourish framework theme: ‘Understood’. Young people said that they wanted to take the lead in helping adults understand their experiences - in their own words and from their own perspectives. At The Matthew Project, we worked with young people to create a short video called “From STIGMA TO SUPPORT: Changing the Conversation on Substance Use.” The video looks at how stigma can hold people back from asking for help when they need it most. It can feel isolating or even scary to speak up about substance use and that’s something we want to change. Through honest reflections from young people, the video highlights what services can do better to make support more accessible and non-judgemental. It also shows how The Matthew Project is working to challenge stigma and start open, compassionate conversations about substance use. By listening to young people, we can make sure everyone feels understood. 👉  Watch the full video:

"I was 15 when I was referred to the Matthew Project by the safeguarding lead at my school. I needed help to stop smoking cannabis. I'd been smoking for a couple of years and couldn’t do it on my own.   I live with my Mum. She and Dad split up. They were always arguing when they were together. I didn't like it. The memories of shouting and the fact that it didn’t leave much time for me was one of the reasons I started smoking. I felt like cutting and I did sometimes. I was getting bad marks at school, I didn’t want to go, I felt that school was the last place I wanted to be. Cannabis use was affecting my mental health, and I felt anxious and struggled to sleep.  I first smoked cannabis after school. Most of my friends had tried it. Then I would hang out with older mates, and sometimes we smoked at my home. It was hard to say no when they asked. My mum felt helpless to do anything. There was concern about county lines involvement. Then I became at risk of being excluded from school for inappropriate behaviour and no attendance. That's when I asked for help.  The first session with The Matthew Project was about them getting to know me and introducing me to the service. Building a trusting relationship is an important part of their initial work as young people can often feel uncomfortable sharing details about themselves with a professional, they just met.   They asked lots of questions to build a better picture of my life which helped them to create a support plan with me. We wrote down the goals that I wanted to achieve and what would help to get me there. My priorities were to cut down on substance use, improve my mental health, get support with my education, and improve my friend and family relationships. The process wasn’t too formal which put me at ease.   Me and my worker focused on improving my eating habits and sleeping pattern. I started exercising daily for 20 mins, came off my phone before bed and kept my room tidy. I started to feel less tired in the mornings...  Then my worker helped me get back into football which was great because I stopped wanting to smoke so much and I got my appetite back!   After checking with me, my worker also had a chat with my mum as I was worried about telling the older mates that they couldn't come to my house to smoke. It helped her understand how to help me and we have a much better relationship now.  Me and my mum found Unity service really helpful. I think not only did it help with my cannabis use but also with my anxiety and low mood... and it's kept me at school, so I stand a better chance of getting my GCSE's!  I have cut down on my usage massively, although I still smoke sometimes. Unity have kept my case open so I can continue with the support when I need it, which is really reassuring to know. Big thanks to everyone from The Matthew Project that helped me." Do you feel like your worried that your own drug/alcohol use is having a significant impact on you or others around you? If so, click on the button below to see how we can help.

The Flourish Survey 2024  revealed a statistic that almost 1 in 5 young people in Norfolk  said they have no one  or nowhere to get information about alcohol use. At The Matthew Project, we wanted to help change that. With the input of young people, we’ve developed five brand-new substance information pages  on our website designed specifically for young people who want clear, honest, and reliable information. These pages cover: Real stories  from young people we support Harm reduction advice  to help you stay safer Information about how substances affect the brain  and decision-making You can explore the new pages here: 👉 Ketamine 👉 Alcohol 👉 Cannabis 👉 Cocaine 👉 MDMA To help spread the word, we’ve also created stickers and posters  featuring QR codes that link directly to these pages. If you’d like to request a pack  to display or hand out at your school, youth group, or workplace, please get in touch - we’d love to share them with you.

The Matthew Project is a Norfolk charity offering free, confidential support for young people dealing with issues around drugs, alcohol, or family substance use. Our services include YouCan (help for under-19s affected by a family member’s substance use), Unity (support for under-19s impacted by personal or others' substance use), and On Track (guidance for 13-24s facing barriers to education or employment). Supporting Young People Across Norfolk Find the right support for you Our Young People Services Read More YouCan If you’re worried about a family member or relative using drugs or alcohol, use the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged under 19 Living in Norfolk Impacted by family/relative drug/alcohol use Read More Unity If you're worried that your own drug or alcohol use is having a significant impact on you or others, click the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged under 19 Living in Norfolk Wanting to stop or reduce their drug or alcohol use Read More On Track If you’re facing barriers that make it difficult to find or stay in education or employment, use the button below to see how we can help. This service is for: Aged 13–24 Living in Norfolk At risk of, or not currently in, education or employment What's New Young People Take Over Practice Week From Stigma to Support, Changing the Conversation on Substance Use Practice Week is a time for everyone in Norfolk who works with children and young people to learn, connect, and share ideas. This May (19th–23rd), things were a little different. Practice Week was led by young people from across Norfolk, exploring the Flourish framework theme: ‘Understood’. Young people said that they wanted to take the lead in helping adults understand their experiences - in their own words a New Substance Info Pages for Young People The Flourish Survey 2024 revealed a statistic that almost 1 in 5 young people in Norfolk said they have no one or nowhere to get information about alcohol use. At The Matthew Project, we wanted to help change that. With the input of young people, we’ve developed five brand-new substance information pages on our website designed specifically for young people who want clear, honest, and reliable information. These pages cover: Real stories from young people we support Har Story from a Young Person in our Unity Service "I was 15 when I was referred to the Matthew Project by the safeguarding lead at my school. I needed help to stop smoking cannabis. I'd been smoking for a couple of years and couldn’t do it on my own. I live with my Mum. She and Dad split up. They were always arguing when they were together. I didn't like it. The memories of shouting and the fact that it didn’t leave much time for me was one of the reasons I started smoking. I felt like cutting and I did sometimes. I was ge Story from a Young Person in our YouCan Service "Ever since I was young my dad always suffered with a drinking issue. It’s not until I got older that I realised it was also affecting my life. His drinking became worse when I joined sixth form, which is when it began affecting my day to day life. I was turning up to school exhausted, not just physically but emotionally. This was having an effect on my school work and learning. I knew it was no longer something I could handle on my own and I had to talk to somebody, but I di Your Stories Want to know what other young people think? Check out what they’ve said about the support they’ve had from us. YouCan Service "The Matthew Project and all of the workers there have helped me over the years so much and i wouldn't have been able to cope with certain situations without their support. I have always felt comfortable and listened to." "They listen and give you good feedback and don't try to pretend that things are ok but actually have a human conversation and you feel like you're actually being listened to." "I feel like i understand how it affects me. She made me realise how well I can cope with it and if needed I can message her. Now I feel comfortable with talking to my dad about his alcohol abuse knowing my worker has comforted me with it and given me advice on how to deal with the affect it has on me." Social Media Take a look at what we’ve been up to over on our Instagram page! Load more

Information to help professionals regarding young people around drugs and alcohol. Professional's support Further down this webpage, you can find a referral form for our services. We are aware that not all young people are ready to engage with us directly and may instead turn to a trusted adult like you. We offer confidential advice and guidance to help you support them more effectively. Our support includes: Confidential Online Call If you’re worried about a young person who isn't ready to engage, we can offer advice without a referral. Our administrator can arrange a call with a specialist practitioner. Click the button below to view our contact details. Young People's Screening Tool If you are working with a child or young person who is misusing drugs or alcohol, using a screening tool can be a helpful first step in starting a conversation about their substance use. Click the button below to access the screening tool. Drug & Alcohol Awareness Training Drug and alcohol awareness sessions for staff working with vulnerable young people in a range of settings including, residential settings, Children's Services, schools and mental health. Click the button below to view our contact details. Targeted Group Sessions For targeted groups of young people who have increased vulnerability to substance misuse we can provide structured and unstructured educational sessions tailored to the needs of each group. Click the button below to view our group offer. Contact Us Screening Tool Group Offer Contact Us Referrals to our Services To refer a young person you are working with, please use the referral forms below. If you need support, have any questions about the forms, or are unsure whether a referral is appropriate, we recommend contacting us to discuss. We can also offer brief interventions to young people who may not require ongoing support. This can be up to 3 sessions. Service Update We are currently receiving a high number of referrals for our YouCan service, which has led us to introduce a waiting list. Whilst we are doing everything we can to meet demand, we are committed to ensuring that children and young people receive the support they need. YouCan This service is for: Age under 19's Living in Norfolk Impacted by family/relative drug/alcohol use If you would like to refer an young person affected by a family members drug/alcohol use, please use the referral form below. YouCan Referral Form Unity This service is for: Age under 19's Living in Norfolk Want to stop/reduce drugs/alcohol use If you would like to refer a young person regarding their drug/alcohol use, please use the referral form below. Unity Referral Form OnTrack This service is for: 13 - 24 year olds Living in Norfolk At risk/not in education or employment If you would like to refer a young person who would like stupport to move closer to education, training or employment, please use the referral form below. OnTrack Referral Form Newsletter To keep up to date with what our young people's team has been up to, subscribe to our professional's monthly newsletter using the button below. Newsletter Sign-Up Working with Families We provide comprehensive support for our service users which can incorporate support for parents and carers. You can find out more about what we cover via the parents info page using the button below. Parent Info Getting Appropriate Accurate Advice and Information We have a resources page where we link to relevant resources to help better inform and support young people, parents and carers. If you work for an organisation that you think would benefit the young people we work with, please get in touch. Resources FAQ's Do you work collaboratively with other services? Yes, we actively engage with other service providers who are supporting a young person. What is the referral criteria? - Under 19 years old - Living in Norfolk - Either 1) Affected by a family member's drug or alcohol use or 2) would like to reduce their own use How do I make a referral? Here is a link to our referral form - Or you can phone us on our advice line: 0800 970 4866 Do I need consent from a young person to do a referral? Yes, we will not be able to accept a referral if consent has been obtained from the young person. How long is the support for? We tailor the support we provide to individuals based on their specific needs and circumstances. Do you provide an aftercare services for individuals who have completed the programme? After a young person has completed their time with our service, we will conduct a follow-up phone check on how they are getting on. Additionally, they have the option to connect with us through our live chat for support. Do you offer services for family members of individuals struggling with addiction? We have a parent support group for parents/carers of children who are under 19. Does a young person's parents/carers need to know that they are receiving support from you? If a young person is under 13, they will need consent from their parent/carer to receive support. If they are over 13 years old and competent, we can support them without their parents' consent. Can I discuss a young person I am worried about before referring them? Yes, you can chat to us via the live chat, advice line or via email - Contact Us | Unity (matthewprojectyoungpeople.org)

What you should know about Cocaine This page talks through the effects of cocaine, risks and harm reduction. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service . Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk. ⚠️ Contaminated Cocaine ⚠️ Some Cocaine in Norfolk has been found to contain dangerous synthetic substances called Nitazenes. Nitazenes have been linked to overdoses and even deaths. Risks of using Cocaine Hover over the photos below, to see the risks of using Cocaine. Health Increased heart rate High blood pressure Anxiety Depression Paranoia Hallucinations Seizures Agitation Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms Low Mood or Depression Panic Attacks Memory Problems Overdose Tolerance can build quickly, so users would need to use more to get the same effects. This increases the risk of overdose. Heart Attack Stroke Damage to the Nasal Passage including nose bleeds, scabs in the nostrils, whistling sound from nose, pain, persistent runny nose and loss of smell. Nasal Passage Cocaine and the Brain The Limbic System Cocaine affects a part of the brain called the limbic system. This area controls things like hunger, sleep, and emotions, and it's also where we feel pleasure and rewards. When someone uses cocaine, it causes a big rush of a brain chemical called dopamine , which makes them feel very good for a short time . Cocaine stops the brain from reusing dopamine, so the good feeling lasts longer. But after the drug wears off, the brain can run low on dopamine, which can lead to feeling sad, tired, or unmotivated. The Limbic System Nucleus Accumbens Drawing by Sam Pearson. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is the part of your brain that controls pleasure and motivation - basically, how much you want something. When someone uses cocaine, it causes a surge in dopamine, creating a strong feeling of pleasure and reward . Cocaine changes the brain cells in the NAc, making them more sensitive to the drug. These changes make the person feel a stronger urge to use. The brain forms powerful memories of the good feelings connected to cocaine, which trigger cravings . This makes it harder to stop using the drug, even when the person knows it's harmful . Unlike many other pleasurable experiences, the brain’s emotional attachment to cocaine lasts longer, making it more difficult to stop using even after a long gap. Chronic cocaine use can also affect other parts of the brain, not just the areas linked to pleasure. These changes can make it harder for someone to think clearly or reflect on their own behaviour. This means people may not realise how serious their cocaine use has become, or they may struggle to see the harm it's causing in their life. It may reduce how pleasurable everything else feels, like eating nice food. Cocaine can change behaviour and decision-making, and over time, it may reduce a person's ability to recognise the negative consequences of their drug use. In some cases, these brain changes can become long-lasting or even permanent , making recovery more challenging than with some other drugs. Stay Safe Tips For You and Your Mates If you use Cocaine, it’s important to know there are always risks. The only way to completely avoid these risks is to not use Cocaine, But if you do decide to use it, keep these tips in mind: . Don’t mix with other drugs - Mixing cocaine with other substances can increase the risk of overdose or unpredictable reaction. Mixing alcohol and cocaine creates another substance in the body called Cocaethylene. This means it can cause much greater strain on the heart, liver and cardiovascular system. If snorting cocaine, ensure you alternate nostrils. After use, use sterile or bottled water or a saline spray, to flush any residue from your nostrils, this will prevent any left-over substance sitting in your nostrils and causing any damage. Use a clean personal sniffing straw, never share straws, notes or keys as these can lead to the spread of blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B and C. We can provide Hep B inoculations – 3 vaccinations. Over 90% effective after the full series. The vaccinations contain non-infectious parts of the virus so it trains the immune system to recognize and fight off hep B if you’re exposed. Crush substances finely, larger bits can damage the delicate lining of the nostril causing cuts that can lead to infection or nose bleeds. Before use, use a saline spray to hydrate nasal lining and reduce irritation. What Young People in Our Service Have to Say Hear from young people about the impact of cocaine use on their lives. Cocaine Play Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied I first started using cocaine at age 17 as to try it, but it never grew on me much. They say “cocaine gives you a boost” which is what made me try it. I’d thought it would give me a nice energetic feeling, hence why I tried it. Cocaine made me in a terrible mood after using, as I felt really tired and hardly spoke to anyone around me My nose is atrocious, it will be bleeding and it really hurts, but when you sniff it makes it go number so it stops the pain. You’re kind of doing it to get rid of the pain, but in the long run it causes more pain. About The Matthew Project If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service. If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live. Unity Service