Don't let drugs rule your life!

03.06.09

Drug treatment works. Users, their families and local communities can all benefit from users being in treatment. And, in Wakefield district we have a huge range of drug treatment and rehabilitation services available.

Next week throughout National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June 2009), NHS Wakefield District, local authority and local police are all working together on initiatives to tackle drugs and reduce drug-related crime in your area.

Locally Wakefield Integrated Substance Misuse Service (WISMS) will launch a new pilot organisation called Integrated Care Organisation as well as make fast track appointments available so that users can access services swiftly and smoothly through a range of outreach drop in sessions at Turning Point Drug Service.

We will also be working with Tesco and Netto supermarkets throughout the week to publicise the range of services available to users and their families.

People can get into using drugs from all kinds of different backgrounds and from recreational use can become addicted to a range of drugs including cannabis, heroin and cocaine.

Lewis who is in his fifties knows only too well about the dangers of drug abuse and how easy it can become an addiction.

Ex service user Lewis Ward, now works as a Service User Involvement Support Worker for the Turning Point Outreach Team based in Wakefield and gives us an insight into his varied role.

Turning Point is a social care organisation, commissioned by Substance Misuse Commissioning Group to establish an outreach team across Wakefield district to help hard to reach groups access existing drug treatment services in the area.

Lewis Ward said: "Less than 3 years ago I attended Turning Point Adult Drug Treatment Service as a heavy heroin user where I received prescribed Methadone and regular counselling to assist in reducing my addiction. I wanted to become more involved in services and support other service users and two years ago, I began acting as a Service User Representative which enabled me to support and advise peers as they progressed along their treatment journey. In February this year I was able to use all the skills and knowledge I had gained from this position and was successful in gaining employment with Turning Point. This step into Turning Point employment felt like the next natural step in my life."

A week in the life of Lewis Ward

On Mondays I work alongside a group of service user representatives in my role as Service User Involvement Support Worker providing support and mentoring as they undertake service user involvement work in Wakefield. This can involve anything from advising service users on harm reduction to involving them in group activities to promote and encourage healthier life styles.

On Tuesdays I continue to support service user representatives in their personal development, rebuilding their lives so they can support other service users. Our service user representatives can become involved in many activities and help other service users contribute to service delivery. Early in my role as Service User Involvement Support Worker we noticed a need for more support for the homeless and vulnerable people. This meant links were made with the police and homeless organisations and soup kitchens were established. On a Tuesday evening I attend a Soup Kitchen/Night Shelter where I encourage vulnerable homeless adults to access a wide range of services including alcohol and drug treatment, housing, benefits, and well-being clinics.

Sometimes on Wednesdays I attend strategic meetings which look at how drug treatment services are commissioned and delivered in the area and how they can be adapted and improved. Being part of these meetings allows me to develop in my role, provide a voice for service users and better understand the community I work in.

Thursdays are spent in Community Drugs services supporting service user representatives with service user involvement work. On a Thursday evening I attend another Soup Kitchen and soon to be Homeless Shelter. I am working with staff from charity, The Simon Community to establish a new Homeless Shelter.

Every fortnight on a Friday I attend the Service User Forum (SU4em). The 14 Service User Representatives voice their opinions on work they have done in their respective services during the last fortnight. The meetings are to exchange ideas, share best practice for commissioners and providers and look at individual development needs, i.e. harm reduction training. Such meetings and the service user representative role gives our service users a sense of responsibility and achievement.

So, this sums up my typical working week with Turning Point, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff and service users at Turning Point, Substance Misuse Commissioning Team and WISMS in helping me turn my life around, I am now in a position to help others do the same.

If anyone is interested in finding out more information about the services available locally then contact one of the following:

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