New way of obtaining drug addiction help is 'crazy'

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by Change | 19 Jan 2010

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A drugs counsellor in London has criticised a planned new approach to seeking drug addiction support.

A new approach to drug addiction support in south London has been criticised by one ex-addict counsellor.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust is pondering ending self-referral drug treatment in Southwark, which could result in alcoholics and drug abusers being forced to approach their doctor, psychiatrist or hospital for assistance, the South London Press reports.

Former crack cocaine user Stuart Cole told the newspaper that the move could shatter the confidence of those seeking addiction help.

"It takes a lot of courage and often years for a person to make that initial move for help," he explained.

"If you have waited three years to build up the courage to seek treatment and then you're turned away and told to go to a GP, you may well change your mind."

Recent figures from NHS Southwark revealed that, over the past decade, there has been a 500 per cent increase in the number of deaths linked to chronic liver disease in the borough, which is associated with alcoholism.

Southwark Pensioners' Action Group told the newspaper that this was a problem growing in prevalence among the borough's elderly population.

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust provides substance misuse services in Southwark, Lambeth, Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley.

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