Drugs and alcohol abuse talks have been recently introduced at schools in Hounslow to educate young people about the dangers.

Hounslow Council's Visions service has been holding group sessions at schools and youth centres in the borough to help prevent youngsters from going down the harmful path.

Visions was started as a programme nine years ago to help individuals aged 11 to 18 who already use drugs and/or alcohol as well as to provide support for youngsters who have been badly affected by drugs and alcohol misuse by their parents.

Specialists in the field offer tailor-made care to each young person's needs which can include advice, counselling, one-to-one work and group work support, relapse prevention and educating on the effects of drugs or alcohol abuse.

Laura, a user of the service, first started smoking cannabis at the age of 14 and in year 11 she was referred to Visions by her school.

After completing a programme of nine sessions with Visions, she said: “Visions is a brilliant service – speaking to the worker about all the problems made me feel better and smile at the end of every session.

“The drugs and alcohol advice has been very beneficial and I have learnt a lot compared to before I started with Visions.”

Councillor Sue Sampson, cabinet member for communities and economic development, said: “The work that Visions does with young people who are at risk from drug and alcohol abuse really works to help them to keep them safe from harm, and lead happy and successful lives.

“As well as the individual programmes, they also deliver group sessions in schools and youth centres to help educate young people about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse.”

Find out more about Visions here.