20th Anniversary

Yes, CASM is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this year. Although re-named, CASM in 2002, the organisation has been going since 1986. So keep a watch on these pages for any special event announcements.

CASM Wins Award

CASM recently won a nomination award in the national Tackling Drugs Changing Lives campaign. The award was accepted by Kevin Coverley, CASM's Project Manager, at a presentation lunch on 25th May 2006. The award nomination recognises CASM's unique contribution within drug education and prevention. Click here for the presentation photo.

Yesterday and Today

CASM, as an organisation, evolved during 2002 when Wirral Christian Drugs Action (WCDA) merged with two other Wirral-based organisations, Wirral Churches Action on Substance Misuse, and Drugs Information & Community Education (DICE) and took on the name CASM.

We wished to convey that we were broadly based in the local churches; and that our concern was with alcohol and substance misuse, reflecting our ever deepening concern about alcohol misuse by many young people today, with the resulting risks of other substance misuse, ill-advised sexual activity, violence and long-term health damage. We also used the occasion to become a Company Limited by Guarantee, a move we understand could be more reassuring to funding agencies.

All three organisations brought a valuable legacy of expertice into CASM which is reflected in the different sections of this website.

Today the team reaches around 14,000 students across around 50% of Wirral schools. Recently the project has led the way in appointing personal drugs counselors who work through referrals with 150 counseling clients each year. As an extension of this we are already beginning to explore an Outreach Counseling Service in partnership with other local groups.

This year the work has extended again and after tentative beginnings now offers How to Drug Proof Your Kids, a 2hr. 6 week interactive course covering many aspects of parenting, drug awareness and how to cope if your child becomes involved in Substance Misuse.

The project currently employs three part time staff, one part time counsellor, a number of sessional staff and has fourteen active volunteers drawn from local churches, community groups and ex-addicts.

In October 2004 a Project Manager was appointed with a brief to tackle funding and presentation issues, support staff and training for future growth.

For more details, please see our Annual Report for 2006

People

One thing is certain, without people we simply couldn't function, whether they are involved with schools work or, counselling, giving time to volunteer with us, or giving financially.

Information

There is some general information about drugs, although you can find much more detailed information via the specialised websites on our links page. There is also information about our schools work and counselling service.

Schools' Education

CASM staff have been involved with a very successful Schools' Education Program for over 12 years. If you want to know more, head for the schools page.

Are you a Parent?

We are now offering a course called How to drug proof your kids, and you might want to look at the drugs page and the counselling section.

Would you like to help us in some way?

Perhaps you can help us? We have lots of things needing to be done.

Questions?

Have a look at our frequently asked questions (faq) page.

Feeling Lost?

Wherever you are on the site, clicking on the home graphic at the top of each page will always return you to the main index.