The links between abusing drugs and mental health problems in young people will be laid bare at a free health talk next month.

Dr Norman Malcolm, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, will be talking on youth offending and substance misuse at the discussion, hosted by Bradford District Care Trust.

Dr Malcolm was appointed in 1998 as part of efforts by health chiefs to tackle the growing demand for help from Bradford’s hard-pressed child and adolescent service in Little Horton Lane.

He set up the service for young people with substance misuse problems at the trust and has since spearheaded schemes in the district to help youngsters beat drugs.

Dr Malcolm will be discussing young people and substance misuse and the links with mental health problems, as well as how services in Bradford have grown to tackle the problem.

He said: “I’ll be focusing on young people, their use of drugs, how this may present as a problem and how services here in Bradford try and help.”

At the time of his appointment, the Telegraph & Argus reported how half of Dr Malcolm’s caseload covered youngsters aged ten and older who tend to use substances including cigarettes, alcohol and solvents, 12-year-olds using cannabis and older teenagers using heroin.

Dr Malcolm told the T&A at the time that the problem of drug use among young people in Bradford was reflected elsewhere in the country, and fewer than five per cent of the 1,200 children seen each year by the service were involved in substance misuse.

The team also deals with children with behavioural difficulties, eating disorders, bereavement, depression and child abuse.

The talk will take place at the Carlisle Business Centre, in Manningham, from 6pm to 7.30pm on Thursday, May 10. The event is for members, although non-members can attend and there will be opportunities to join the trust on the day. Membership is free. To book a place at the event, contact (01274) 363601 or e-mail mathew.blythe@bdct.nhs.uk.