Breaking the cycle of drugs and crime
6 December 2011
A service that helps people to break the cycle of drugs and crime and turn their lives around opened its doors to the public for the first time on 2 December.WDP Suffolk and its partners showed the work being done to support people to recover from drug and alcohol dependency and to address their offending behaviour.
WDP works closely with the police, courts, prison and probation services in a partnership to reduce drug-related crime, led by the Suffolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team. The event included presentations from Louise Jupp, Suffolk Criminal Justice Manager, WDP Chair Yasmin Batliwala, and service users on how the partnership is helping people rebuild their lives.
Yasmin Batliwala, Chair of WDP, said, “Many people in our criminal justice system today are struggling, not only with their own problems but with the stigma that saps away hope. We know from the thousands of people we have worked with that they can change if they have the right support.
“We are fortunate in Suffolk to be working in a very effective partnership which means we can reach people wherever they are in the criminal justice system, at the point of arrest, at court or in prison, to find out what help they need to recover and get their lives back on track. Very often other issues like lack of housing or family relationships need to be addressed too, which is why it is so good to have partners like Genesis Housing Association working with us.”
“Suffolk County Council value the Drug Interventions Programme and the work they undertake with substance misusers in the criminal justice system. The service provides a gateway to appropriate services in order to tackle addiction, allowing clients to break the cycle of offending behaviour and reintegrate back into society.” Cllr Colin Spence, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection.
“The Suffolk DAAT Partnership are delighted this national drug and alcohol treatment charity are bringing their expertise into the county. Substance misusers are more likely to be involved in crime and we need to ensure this vulnerable client group has the opportunity to access treatment and support for their drug and alcohol problems. We know that once these issues are resolved and people take control of their own lives then re-offending is much less likely to occur.” Dr. Amanda Jones, Chair of Suffolk DAAT Partnership
“Working together with WDP and the other partners in Suffolk has been very effective in helping clients to move on in their lives. Many of our residents have not been treated with empathy and respect before. Treating each person as a worthy human being gives them a sense of belonging which we can build on.” Mark Buckle, Genesis Housing Association
Scott’s story
Today Scott (27) is looking forward to the birth of his first child and planning to go back into education. But until 18 months ago he was regularly in prison and addicted to heroin and alcohol. “I reached a point where I was being arrested twice a week. Part of the problem was that I didn’t believe I could change. But eventually, when things had got so bad that I was homeless and had no contact with my family, I told myself, I have to change.” At that point WDP and Genesis Housing Association were able to help. Scott has not committed any offences since then, he is no longer dependent on drugs and he is once again on good terms with his family.
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