Plaid Cymru Senedd Members, Mark Hooper MS and Kiera Marshall MS, have visited Barry's CAVDAS site on Holton Road to discuss substance use prevention and the importance of local support.
CAVDAS (Cardiff and Vale Drug and Alcohol Service) works across Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan to provide drug and alcohol treatment and support for both adults and young people across the region.
The site visit to the CAVDAS centre in centre of Barry gave Senedd members an opportunity to hear first hand about the services provided, and discuss how challenges relating to funding and legislation can get in the way of helping those who are most in need of support.
The Senedd members, who were joined by local councillor Ian Johnson, were also shown the service's mobile engagement vehicle, which allows CAVDAS to provide outreach services in other locations in the Vale, such as Penarth and Llantwit Major.
Mark Hooper MS, Plaid Cymru Senedd member for Pen-y-Bont Bro Morgannwg, said:
"This was a very useful discussion about the changing nature of substance use over the last few years, but also the need to be constantly aware of how substance use is often a symptom of other underlying issues.
"It's important that we can talk about harm reduction in a mature way so that people can get the help they need and are not stigmatised while doing so."
Kiera Marshall MS, Plaid Cymru Senedd member for Caerdydd Penarth, said:
"The work CAVDAS do to support people all over Cardiff and the Vale is incredible. Hearing directly from those providing support gave me an opportunity to learn more about the issues they face and the conversations that need to be had.
"Stigma is a big issue, people are often uncomfortable to talk about substance use but we need to have an honest conversation about how we provide support and make sure that people are able to access services."
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