National Tackling Drugs Week: Service that offers hope

Jun 9 2009 by Sam Casey, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Service that offers hope to drug abusers

IN the second feature as part of National Tackling Drugs Week, reporter Sam Casey looks at the work carried out by Kirklees Lifeline

ACCORDING to the Ministry of Justice, for every £1 spent on treating drug users £9.50 is saved in crime and health costs.

It’s a startling statistic and one which means the work done by Kirklees Lifeline is vitally important.

Lifeline is a voluntary sector organisation working with people affected by substance abuse – both problematic drug users (PDUs), and their families.

The service’s mission statement is ‘to relieve poverty, sickness and distress among those people affected by addiction to drugs of any kind and to educate the public on matters relating to drug misuse.’

Chris Lawton, who manages Lifeline’s adult services in Kirklees, says: “We work with individuals, families and communities affected by substance use.

“A main aspect of this is supporting people and helping them to progress into positive lifestyle choices such as education and employment.”

Most of the people who come to Lifeline are addicted to crack cocaine or heroin, or both, although the service is not limited to dealing with those drugs.

Some walk into the drop-in facilities at Station Street in Huddersfield or Wellington Street in Dewsbury.

Others are referred by medical professionals or the police.

In the first instance the organisation’s primary aim is harm minimisation – to reduce the immediate risks faced by users themselves and their families.

There is a needle exchange for PDUs to swap their used needles for clean ones.

There is also an outreach arm, through which Lifeline works with police and community organisations to target areas where there are specific problems.