Kenward Trust Calls for Urgent Action Following Rise in Young People Accessing Substance Misuse Support
Kenward Trust was recently featured on KMTV, discussing the alarming rise in children and young people being supported for alcohol and drug misuse, with figures significantly higher than last year.
New data shows a 55% increase in children entering treatment in Medway, underlining growing concerns that substance misuse is beginning at an earlier age, often taking place online, and frequently going unnoticed until a young person reaches crisis point.
This powerful feature included voices from across the Kenward Trust community, highlighting both the scale of the issue and the urgent need for greater awareness and intervention.
Michael Bourne, Head of Resettlement at Kenward Trust, spoke about the increasing number of younger people now requiring specialist treatment and support.
Joel Booker, a resident at Kenward Trust, bravely shared his personal experience of ketamine misuse, which began when he was just 15 years old and has led to ongoing memory loss.
Kim Webster, Youth Education Executive at Kenward Trust, also shared her deeply personal story of losing her son after he experimented with tramadol during a night out. She now delivers youth education ‘Think Differently’ sessions to young people, families and communities to raise awareness of the risks associated with alcohol and substance misuse.
This feature reinforces the urgent need for:
Early intervention before experimentation becomes dependency
Education for young people, parents and carers on emerging risks
Accessible support services for families affected by substance misuse
Open conversations to remove stigma and encourage people to seek help sooner
Kim Webster, Youth Education Executive for Kenward Trust said:
“My son Will died seven years ago after a night out with a friend, simply experimenting. That loss gave me a real passion to help educate young people about the dangers of experimentation. It can be the flip of a coin. You have no idea what a substance may do to your body or how you might react to it.
The Think Differently educational programme is not about telling young people what they can and cannot do. It is about giving them honest information so they can make their own informed decisions. In that moment, whether at a festival, a party, or when something is offered to them, it might just make them stop and think differently.”
No family expects to face the impact of substance misuse, especially at such a young age. These rising figures show why prevention, education and support are more important than ever. We must act early to protect young people and give families hope.
Kenward Trust continues to provide life-changing support, education and recovery services across Kent and Medway, helping individuals build safer, healthier futures.