15 January 2026
WithYou in Darlington at STRIDE is highlighting the importance of early support and prevention, as new national figures show the North East has the highest rate of young people in drug and alcohol treatment in England.
WithYou, as part of the STRIDE partnership in Darlington, works alongside education, health and care professionals to encourage young people to seek early advice and support around drug and alcohol use, helping to prevent harm before problems escalate.
Jake Towns, Team Leader for WithYou for young people in Darlington at STRIDE, brings frontline experience to his role, having previously worked as a prison officer with young offenders.
“I saw first-hand the real impact substance misuse can have on young people, either through their own use or as a result of parental substance use,” Jake said.
“I knew that I wanted a job that would focus on harm prevention and reducing the opportunities for exploitation and generational influence.
“I currently work with a small number of young people, which enables me to keep a close pulse on local issues and target emerging substances or areas of concern. We work alongside our recovery partners, youth justice and social care to ensure young people across Darlington don’t go unheard.”
The latest national statistics show that the North East has the highest rate of under-18s accessing drug and alcohol treatment services, underlining the importance of local, preventative work with children and young people before issues reach crisis point.
“For a few years now, cannabis use has remained the most prevalent drug for young people across Darlington,” Jake explained. “The increased availability of drugs through social media, alongside new methods of use such as DAB pens and THC vapes, means there is more risk than ever.
“Platforms like Snapchat and Telegram can expose young people to exploitation and recruitment into dealing. The landscape has changed, and dealers have a much wider reach – particularly with THC vapes, cannabis and synthetic cannabinoids.
“The harm increases because these substances are so readily available, and young people often don’t know the strength or ingredients. We’re also seeing a shift away from alcohol and towards shared drug use as part of the night-time economy.
“Extensive use can trigger mental health challenges and increase the risk of physical harm. We support young people to reduce use in ways that work for them, identifying personal goals and meeting them where they feel most comfortable – whether that’s in school, at their GP practice, or at home with a parent or guardian.”
WithYou works alongside people with lived experience to support young people in educational settings and is supported by local schools across the area. Jake and the team have recently visited a local academy to raise awareness of the risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
Justin Tattersall, Deputy Head Teacher at Longfield Academy in Darlington, said:
“Pupils were enthralled and captivated by not only the knowledgeable expertise and professional delivery but by the powerful and poignant lived experience. This is an organisation who knows how to communicate both sensitively and effectively with young people.”
WithYou encourages young people to contact its free webchat service via wearewithyou.org.uk, or to make an anonymous call to the Darlington service for confidential advice and support.
Jake added:
“Please reach out and have a chat – the earlier the better – whether you need advice for yourself or someone you care about. We want to empower young people to make informed choices.
“WithYou at STRIDE also runs a Young Ambassadors Programme, giving local people under 25 the opportunity to work alongside us, attend events, visit schools and colleges, and help ensure young people’s voices are heard.”
WithYou in Darlington at STRIDE focuses on prevention, reducing harm and recovery-oriented care to improve lives and create a healthier, fairer area for people to live and work. WithYou provides person-centred support with compassion and respect, recognising that not everyone feels ready to access traditional services and meeting people wherever they are on their journey.
