Young people are being urged to think before leaving their drinks to hit the dance floor!

A campaign launched by DAN 24/7– Wales’ confidential drug and alcohol helpline – and supported by the Welsh Assembly Government and all Wales Police forces launched a campaign last month offering free Spikeys to anyone who called the helpline. The campaign was successful and we are repeating the offer now because so many of the callers suspected that their drinks being tampered whilst on a night out.

Some people might add something to your drink because they thinks it a laugh, others may have more sinister reasons – either way you need to consider how safe your drink is when you leave it unattended. DAN 24/7 wants young people to have a good time but we also want them to be safe, so that it is why we are giving away FREE ‘Spikey’s’ to each caller on 0800 6 33 55 88. The spikey’s are used to prevent either powdered or tablet substances being put into a persons drink without them knowing.

Janet Roberts Helpline Manager for DAN Say’s ‘Excessive alcohol and drugs will change a person’s usual judgement and inhibitions which can lead people into trouble, cause illness or injury and can even result in death’. We hope to raise awareness of the service by encouraging people to ring for their free pack of Spikeys and then, if they have a problem they would like to talk to us about in the future, contacting us will not seem so daunting. The bilingual helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free and confidential and I would urge anyone who needs to access treatment to call 0800 6 33 55 88”

Chief Medical Officer Tony Jewell said: “Young people are more likely to use drugs and alcohol together, and they are getting younger and younger. I urge young people to stop and think before drinking too much, taking drugs, or even worse, mixing the two – which creates a very dangerous cocktail”.
Around 45,000 hospital admissions and 1,000 deaths every year in Wales can be described as alcohol-attributable. We need to educate people about the health risks associated with exceeding safe drinking limits and empower them to resist peer pressure.”
Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Carl Sargeant welcomed the campaign saying: “The DAN 24/7 helpline is an important part of our efforts to tackle substance misuse in Wales.

The campaign to raise awareness among young people about the dangers of mixing alcohol and drugs will run throughout February.

The DAN 24/7 Helpline is important for anybody wanting some free and confidential advice and support.”

You can Contact DAN 24/7 on 0800 6 33 55 88. Lines are open 24 hours a day every day of the year