The percentage of young people offered support for substance misuse is significantly higher than regional and national averages
Cllr John Pugh(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A respected Merseyside councillor has expressed concern about the rates of substance abuse in the region and described a chance encounter with an ex-pupil which highlighted the seriousness of the issue.
Sefton has a ‘serious problem’, according to Cllr John Pugh, with ‘stark’ new figures showing the rate of young people offered support for substance misuse in the borough – ‘significantly higher’ than regional and national averages. Sefton Council convened last night to decide on a number of reports including the Youth Justice Service (YJS) plan.
The YJS compiled data which also shows the percentage of children who accepted an offer of substance misuse support. In 2024/25, the report shows 85 children were offered substance misuse support and all engaged.
Furthermore, 34 children were referred to Change Grow Live and 28 of those children engaged. The remaining six children decided they wanted one-to-one support and intervention with their YJS case worker.
The report states: “The increase of support our children require is nearly 15%. Sefton YJS has two dedicated CGL Workers. For the North West region, the average % of children in YJS receiving substance misuse support in 24/25 was 31.3%.
“National figures show the percentage was 29%. This indicates that regionally and nationally, Sefton is significantly high above these averages.”
Responding to the report, Cllr John Pugh submitted an amendment which was approved by the chamber, which sought to add a clause acknowledging the large percentage of young people in Sefton – within the justice system – who have substance dependency issues.
Sefton Council meeting at Bootle Town Hall on September 4, 2025(Image: LDRS)
Speaking on that amendment, Cllr Pugh said: “The actual figures in the report […] are quite stark. The percentage of child offenders or youth offenders who are offered support for substance abuse in Sefton is 74% and for the North West it’s 31% and for the nation as a whole, it’s 29%.
“The report actually says Sefton is significantly high above these averages, and that tends to tie in and chime in with what we’ve already discussed regarding an alcohol strategy. The fact that there are large numbers of young people being admitted to the hospital with alcohol drug related problems [shows] we have a problem in Sefton.
“It’s good that we offer young people support, but it’s not good that they need it, especially when you remember that the young people who persist in crime often are the very people who need persistent crime to feed and finance the drug habit.
“As we all know, there’s no shortage of drugs on Merseyside, and they’re probably cheaper in North Sefton than they are in inner city Liverpool. Members may also have seen, [it’s been found] that ketamine use in the city region is five times above the national average.”
Cllr Pugh added: “I believe locally, we have a specific problem, a serious problem, and a problem that needs a more direct focus. I’m far from suggesting that nothing has been done, because I’m sure members can tell me all sorts of good schemes that are designed precisely to address this problem.
“But what the facts tell us that we’ve got to re-double our efforts and focus and above all, spread good practice.”
Cllr Pugh went on to retell a personal story about a chance encounter with a former pupil and the importance of effective intervention and support for those suffering from drug misuse, he said: “I was walking one evening, along a dingy, dark platform late on a Thursday night, several years back, and passed a group [of people] sitting in the corner.
“I walked past them with some trepidation, avoiding eye contact – the way you do. I got 20 yards when a voice rang out behind me: “That’s Mr Pugh”.
“I turned around to see one of the group leap up on the road towards me, a young man, probably in his 30s, unkempt appearance and certainly old before his time, “You used to teach me”, he said.
“I smiled, but I had no idea who he was, but he must have been to one of my social studies classes, a long time ago. He went on and said something that really did hit home. He said, “I enjoyed your lessons, particularly the ones on drugs.”
Adding: “That explains in a roundabout way […] that help cannot just be offered, it must be effective.”
Responding to Cllr Pugh and confirming the council would back the proposed amendment, Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “I wouldn’t disagree with any of that. We will be accepting this amendment.
“We are working on a children’s and young person’s plan as we speak, and the mention today of ketamine that is included, it is a serious problem, you’re absolutely right.
“It’s a problem across the city region, across the country, because it’s cheap to get hold of. It’s cheaper than most other things, and that’s why young people are accessing it.
“That is in our children and young parents, and I’m hoping that we will get cross party agreement when we bring a motion forward about the ketamine issue for young people, and we get that support that’s needed.”