Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service (BADAS) provides free, confidential services for anyone concerned about their own, or someone else’s drug use or drinking. We cover Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) and Wiltshire. We have offices in Bath, Westbury and Trowbridge.

Ethos

Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service (BADAS) ethos is to work towards the goals of treatment that best suit the individual using the service. For some that will be total abstinence from their drug or alcohol use. Many others prefer to work towards harm minimisation or “safer” drug or alcohol use. BADAS proactively supports individuals to make the necessary changes to achieve their goals whatever they may be.

A Brief History

BADAS is a charity and company limited by guarantee, working to relieve poverty sickness and distress among those using alcohol and drugs, their families, friends and carers. BADAS mission statement reads “Reducing Harm, Supporting Change” which in its simplicity captures the essence of BADAS approach to its work.

The Charity started in the mid 1980’s, originally part of the local Bath and West Wiltshire Mental Health Trust. Independence as a charity followed and the organisation was free to develop its harm minimisation focused services with an emphasis on drop-in, needle exchange and outreach to rural areas. BADAS operated as one generic team working from a Bath base until 2002, when the Wiltshire and B&NES Teams were split and new offices opened in Westbury. Since then a further service has been developed in Trowbridge, making three different premises across BADAS catchment area.