RISING drink and drug problems across Copeland have sparked an SOS call to borough businesses and organisations to help tackle the problems.

Even children of junior school age are said to be sniffing things like hairspray, polish and glue which makes them more likely to go on to other things.

Now Cadas – the Cumbria Alcohol and Drug Advisory Service – has responded to the rising tide of problems by seeking to expand its presence in West Cumbria.

But the charity, like most others throughout the country, has been hit by austerity and hopes it can find support from the business community.

“We used to have a team in West Cumbria, but austerity has impacted on the organisation,” said chief executive Leigh Williams.

Cadas, which has offices in Carlisle, Kendal and Barrow, has already linked up in Barrow with BAE Systems, where the next generation of the UK’s nuclear submarines are built.

The company pays the charity to run courses and workshops, help its employees to avoid addictions, and assist those with problems in overcoming them – and Cadas hopes to organise similar link-ups in Copeland.

“One young lad of 17 who works there was giving all his money to his drug dealer, which was having a major impact on his life,” said Ms Williams.

She added: “One of my focuses in the next few years is West Cumbria. If anybody wants to partner with us or sponsor us, that would be good.

“I am looking to offer our services professionally so that organisations can pay to get support for their employees.”

Any money which the charity earns from businesses in West Cumbria would then go into building its presence in the community.

And Ms Williams is also keen to hear from any businesses or organisations who have office space that Cadas could use.

In the last two weeks The Whitehaven News has reported on the growing issues in the borough, with Copeland Council issuing alcohol banning orders in certain public places, and the authorities revealing how a new drug craze for nitrous oxide - or laughing gas - is taking off among young people.

Ms Williams said that problems in Cumbria extend to all ages, and all social spheres.

“The youngest with problems are at the top end of junior school,” she said. “The problem is it is very uncomfortable for us to talk about as a society.

“Children who are junior school age will get things from home - like hairspray, polish and glue to sniff - because they are not illegal. After a young child tries it once, that is when they are likely to try other things.

“Alcohol is available in the home, they can get it from their mam and dad’s drinks cabinet.

“We see kids in Year 7 in secondary school, who are buying Xanax off the dark web, or sniffing butane gas.

“The national statistics say that fewer young people are drinking alcohol, but there is more of a problem with those who are. They are drinking to such excess they are ending up in A&E.

“For us, it is difficult because drugs can be seen as trendy, although alcohol is still one of the biggest issues because it is socially acceptable.

“Young people are biologically programmed to take risks. I want to create conversations about peer pressure, and how to say no.”

And Ms Williams revealed that problems with addiction, apart from affecting all ages, are also not confined to one social group.

“Certain parts of West Cumbria will be higher than the national average. It is not true to say that rural areas don’t have a problem - it is hidden.

“Seventy per cent of people with drug and alcohol problems are employed,” she said.