Inspiring New Drug and Alcohol Services for East Lancashire
Mon 12th Dec 2011
New services for drug and alcohol misusers were officially opened across East Lancashire in Accrington, Burnley, Clitheroe and Rawtenstall. Local residents and community services were invited to launch events at the four sites to find out more about how the Inspire service can support recovery from drug and alcohol misuse and help people get back into education, work or training.
Inspire is run by the national charity CRI in partnership with Work Solutions and Acorn Housing and Treatment. Together they provide a wide range of treatment and support that helps people overcome drug and alcohol issues, find safe and secure accommodation and apply for jobs and training.
To date, sixteen former drug users have found jobs and a further 27 are working as volunteers in the community as a result of the support provided by the Inspire team.
Baroness Doreen Massey, chair of the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), who opened the Accrington event, said:
"A demanding new drugs strategy, firmly focussed on getting users into recovery, will only be delivered if we consider the needs of the whole person. We intend to work closely with partners in training and employment, housing and family support, wider health services and the criminal justice sector to provide seamless support throughout the recovery journey.
“The work that the Inspire service is doing in East Lancashire, is an outstanding example of how we can make that drug strategy vision a reality. We know the task will be challenging, but by encouraging these individuals to recover and start contributing to society, we can bring about huge change not just for them but also in our local communities, making them better, healthier and safer places in which to live and work."
David Royce, Chief Executive, said: “This inspirational recovery partnership brings together social and medical care, housing and employment services to meet the needs of individuals in both the community and the criminal justice system. Support for parents and carers, and the involvement of former service users and members of the local community through volunteer programmes, provides a comprehensive support package that gives people the best possible chance of overcoming their substance misuse problems.”
The events gave local people the opportunity to meet staff and service users from the service and find out how Inspire is working to change lives. A further Inspire base is due to open in Nelson in the near future.
The Inspire service is commissioned by Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (LDAAT) and NHS East Lancashire. Simon Smith, LDAAT’s Head of Operations and Commissioning, expressed his support for the events: ”We are delighted to support the official launch of the Inspire service, we are very proud of the success that Inspire have had so far. Sadly drugs and alcohol are a part of today’s society and affect many people’s lives in Lancashire. It is essential that the public have knowledge of the help and support available in their area”.
Inspire is available to anyone living in East Lancashire who has problems with drugs and alcohol. You can contact the service by calling the following numbers, for
Accrington call 01254 282900
Burnley call 01282 644644
Rawtenstall 01706 253670
Clitheroe 01200 413630
or visit: www.cri.org.uk to find details of your local services.
For further media information contact: Sue Shaw on 07894622210