Spark began in April 2005, and is a specialist training project housed within the Drug and Alcohol Service for London. It is a brand new concept in substance misuse training – focussed on consultation with young people and partnership working, reflecting new ways of implementing Every Child Matters and the Childrens Act 2004. Spark aims to ensure Newham’s professionals, parents, carers and young people have accurate information and the chance to develop skills to consequently work with Newhams young people around substance misuse, including recognising substance related needs.

Spark works with children, young people, parents, carers, professionals and partner agencies to support schools through co-delivery of substance misuse (drugs) education at all key stages and to design and deliver programmes of drugs education in schools. Spark also supports schools to write, review and implement effective drugs policies.

Spark also provides tailor made substance misuse and harm reduction sessions for vulnerable young people, community groups, statutory services and staff focussing on recognising and responding to risks faced by vulnerable young people and enabling workers to inform and empower young people to make informed decisions around substance misuse, sexual health and related issues.

Spark delivers an intensive quarterly training programme for all professionals covering a range of topics including basic drugs awareness, harm reduction, screening, assessment and referral pathways, and designing and implementing drugs management policies.