Two years ago I gave a talk in London to esteemed colleagues and friends on this subject.

In cases where young people are using Class A drugs there are clear safeguarding issues because young people in these contexts are exploited the same of these drugs through their participation in the illegal economy, in organised crime.gang culture and sex working.

There is a relationship between untreated ADHD and higher rates of alcohol and drug misuse in young people. Furthermore a proportion of these young people will be affected by depression and suicidal thinking. There is a cumulative effect of depression, ADHD and addictive behaviour that would make young person more vulnerable to suicide or homicide. Often these young people have complex lives in which they experience psychological symptoms.