Almost 500 children and young adults identified as being affected by violence received support through Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent’s Navigator and Tailored Support Service between March 2025 and April 2026. Funded …
Choices
Tackling Drugs & Alcohol
Choices
From June 2025 to May 2026, over 1,500 violent offences reported to Staffordshire Police were linked to alcohol.
The Choices campaign has been created to raise awareness of the real impact drugs and alcohol can have on individuals, families, relationships and wider communities. The campaign also highlights how recreational or casual drug use can contribute to the abuse and exploitation of children.
The campaign uses powerful storytelling to show how an individual’s choices can lead to serious and life changing consequences. Through Joe’s story, the campaign highlights how drug and alcohol use can affect employment, relationships, personal safety, future opportunities and child victims of exploitation.
The campaign is designed to make people stop, think, and understand the potential consequences of the choices they make.
One night. Your choices.
Drugs and alcohol can affect many lives. Joe’s story shows how what starts as a normal night out for him, quickly spirals into something much more serious. The campaign encourages individuals to reflect on their own choices and think about the consequences for them and others.
Campaign aims:
Raise awareness of how drugs and alcohol can affect a person’s inhibitions and resultantly, make them violent
Raise awareness of how recreational or casual drug use can contribute to the abuse and exploitation of children
Educate against the consequences of poor decision making
Direct individuals to further information and drug and alcohol support services
Resources
The partner pack below contains key messages to support the campaign resources. Please share, print, hand out and display the content and messages to help individuals who think they won’t be affected by drug or alcohol use.
Where can I go for support?
For local drug and alcohol support, contact the organisation within your area below. All services are free and confidential – meaning your details or any other information will not be discussed with anybody else, unless agreed otherwise.
Staffordshire (Stafford, Cannock, Tamworth, Burton, Leek, Newcastle-under-Lyme) – STaRS
- www.staffstars.org/contact-us/
- 0300 124 0356
Stoke-on-Trent – CDAS
- www.scdas.org.uk/
- 01782 283 113
Lichfield and Tamworth – Betterway Recovery
- https://www.betterwayrecovery.org.uk/services/
- Lichfield: 07915 781496 ~ 07897 280476
- Tamworth: 07426 351853
- Burton: 07888 601452
Stafford, Cannock, Newcastle – Chase Recovery
Burton-upon-Trent – BAC O’Connor
If you are worried about a child and wish to make a referral, please visit the below safeguarding website relevant to your local authority:
If you believe somebody is in immediate danger always dial 999.
Alternatively, if you wish to give information anonymously visit the CrimeStoppers website below.
Help and Support available to you
Visit our Support page for further information and advice on where to go for support.
Campaigns
We are taking a partnership and inclusion approach to bringing about positive changes in communities throughout Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent. These projects are created or selected based on understanding and needs of local communities, brought by those who are living and working within them.
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