Speak up Speak out about children affected by drugs and alcohol

The misery suffered by children affected by alcohol or drugs is being spotlighted in the latest Speak up Speak out campaign. 


It’s the fifth in a series of campaigns by the City of Edinburgh Council, Police Scotland and NHS Lothian highlighting public protection issues. 




The campaign will tackle the issues and offer help, support and advice to youngsters whose lives are affected by drink and drugs:

• by targeting pregnant women, advising them to avoid drinking alcohol or taking drugs and educating on the risks of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• by encouraging parents to act as role models and think about the effect of drinking in front of their children 
•  offering support to children whose parents have problems with drugs or alcohol supporting parents and carers to get advice on how to talk to their children about drinking and drugs
• signposting support services to children who are being pressured to take substances or are worried about friends
• asking neighbours worried about a local family to speak out on a child’s behalf
• by publishing a toolkit for professionals involved in the support of children affected by drugs and alcohol.

To coincide with FASD Awareness Day, a range of posters will be seen in venues across Edinburgh to spotlight the main issues and directing people to a variety of sources for help:

• edinburgh.gov.uk/speakupspeakout

• Social Care Direct, The City of Edinburgh Council’s social work service (0131 200 2324).

• Edinburgh & Lothian Council on Alcohol (0131 337 8188)

• Crew 2000 (0131 220 3404)

• ChildLine (0800 1111)

A radio advert will be aired on Forth One and Two from Tuesday 9 September and a series of child-friendly posters have been developed for primary and secondary schools.

If you’d like to hear more about the campaign or would like some campaign materials, please 
contact ann.duff@edinburgh.gov.uk