The project was established in response to the growing drugs and alcohol problem in the Levenmouth community, and was initially based in Wellesley Road, Buckhaven.
The organisation moved to 2 Parkdale Avenue in Leven, next to the town’s King George V public park. Residents initially voiced concerns over the initiative’s presence in their neighbourhood but within a short period of time DAPL had won the trust of those neighbours and was an accepted and valued part of the community.
By 2000 DAPL was offering various counselling approaches including psychotherapy and gestalt. Additionally DAPL was one of only four agencies in Scotland to have a dedicated youth counsellor.
In November it was announced that the organisation had been awarded funds to expand its young people’s service. As the organisation increased in size due to the needs of the community, it was clear that more space was required, especially as DAPL wanted to train a substantial number of volunteers to help with the valuable work being done with clients.
In November it was announced that the organisation had been awarded funds to expand its young people’s service. As the organisation increased in size due to the needs of the community, it was clear that more space was required, especially as DAPL wanted to train a substantial number of volunteers to help with the valuable work being done with clients.
DAPL was successful in expanding to take over the empty premises next door, which had been in a state of disrepair since being used by the caretaker of the former Parkdale Home. This increased capacity helped the organisation cope with the rapid increase in referrals that were coming its way.
2003 also saw a major expansion for DAPL into Kirkcaldy and Glenrothes. Up until then, any inquiries DAPL received from central Fife had to be dealt with on an emergency basis which was far from ideal.
Due to the rise in referrals reflected by the organisation’s presence in these new areas, it was a necessity for DAPL to find a permanent base of its own where clients could be seen, and therefore DAPL was quick to find suitable premises at 13 Wemyssfield, within a short walking distance of Kirkcaldy town centre.In the years since then the service has continued to grow from strength to strength with both the young person service and adult service expanding and providing an improved service to an ever increasing number of clients.
By 2007 DAPL was seeing clients in North East Fife and that year also saw the start of the successful street referral scheme pilot which was a new joint initiative between the organisation and Fife Constabulary.
The organisation became a company limited by guarantee and changed its name from Drug and Alcohol Project Levenmouth to Drug and Alcohol Project Limited. This reflected the change in legal status and also that DAPL was now very much a Fife organisation.
That year DAPL was the first organisation in Fife and only the fourth in the whole of Scotland to have its counselling service accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). This achievement was further clear recognition of the quality of service being provided by DAPL.
The street referral scheme was expanded into Glenrothes, having previously only been in operation in Levenmouth and North East Fife.
Further in 2010 DAPL rolled out its adult alcohol counselling service across the whole of the kingdom of Fife.
On 26th January 2012 the Fife Health and Social Care Partnership approved the recommendation of the Fife Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) for DAPL to provide adult counselling throughout Fife for three years, following a grant funding application process.
In 2012 DAPL was awarded funding by the Tudor Trust for a period of two years to develop its volunteer and placement programme.
DAPL opened a new premise at 2 Acorn Court in the Kingdom Centre to enhance the service that the organisation provides to the community of Glenrothes.
DAPL celebrated its 20th anniversary by having its counselling service re-accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
The organisation also received funds for the first time to provide generic counselling in schools to pupils experiencing a range of addictive behaviours and/or psychological disorders.
DAPL welcomed on board its first ever patron with renowned film and television actor Clive Russell pledging his support for the organisation.
In 2016 DAPL rebranded and the organisation changed its name to: “Drugs, Alcohol and Psychotherapies Limited” to better describe the work of the service. Further following a consultation process with service users and staff a new logo was selected.
Well known charity campaigner and businesswoman Eleanor Bowman MBE joined Clive Russell as a patron of the organisation.St Kenneth’s Primary School in Ballingry was successful in a bid to the Scottish Attainment Challenge Fund to ensure that its pupils benefited from a full time DAPL counsellor all year round.
DAPL was successful in its application to work as part of Fife Council’s “Our Mind Matter” service delivering counselling (individual and group work) to high school pupils across Fife experiencing psychological issues such as anxiety and stress
The organisation also receives a glowing report from the Scottish Drug Forum's National Quality Development team who independently evaluate the adult service.
DAPL is chosen by a number of primary and secondary schools to provide dedicated counsellors through the Scottish Government's Pupil Equity Fund.
The organisation continued to deliver Fife Council’s Education Directorate’s counselling component fory oung people experiencing emotional distress within the Our Minds Matter framework; working alongside colleagues from: CAMHS primary mental health team,SAMH, FEAT and school guidance staff.
DAPL celebrates its 25th anniversary by having its counselling service re-accredited by the BACP.
DAPL release new documentary video about the organisation:
2020 will be long remembered as the year when the Covid pandemic struck the world.
Despite huge challenges, DAPL adapted to ensure that our clients received the services they require. The organisation utilised new technologies and developed new innovative ways of doing its work.
Throughout the pandemic it was very important to the service that it kept well informed as to how clients experienced the organisation and to this end the service was delighted by the feedback received. For one survey that was undertaken, DAPL incredibly received around 600 responses. The overwhelming message from clients was that they were appreciative of DAPL’s efforts and that they were gaining real benefit from the services provided.
DAPL was delighted with the roll out of the ‘Digital Drop In’ programme across all Fife secondary schools after a successful pilot.
The service allowed young people in high schools to contact DAPL directly via text or email to request counselling rather than having to have a referral made by guidance staff, and this unquestionably was an excellent development.
In 2022, DAPL had many highlights including:
The organisation was very pleased to be chosen as Fife Council's main provider of school counselling services across the region.
DAPL was delighted to strengthen its link with Levenmouth Academy by providing additional counselling and art therapy for pupils there, via the Pupil Equity Funding arrangement.
The organisation continued its excellent relationship with universities and colleges throughout Scotland and was delighted with the quality of the placements who joined the service. DAPL also continued its strong link with the Scottish Drugs Forum and hosted a number of students through the AWTP programme.
On 31st August 2023 nearly 100 people joined together at DAPL to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Along with a ceremony of remembrance there were a number of speakers, including those with lived experience.
DAPL celebrates its 30th Anniversary!
