Help group set up to offer support to families of addicts (From Echo)

Help group set up to offer support to families of addicts

6:30am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

FAMILIES struggling to cope with the heartbreak and pressure of having a drug-addicted loved one, can seek advice at a new help group.

It meets every week at the Linx Centre, at the Basildon Lower Academy, formerly Barstable School, in Timberlog Close, Basildon.

The club, called the Basildon Drug Addiction Family Support Group, aims to give relatives the chance to share their experiences and help each other through the tough times.

Deana Donovan, 50, from Basildon, whose son has been clean for five months after battling a decade-long heroin addiction, said: “I was in a mess when my son was on drugs and I didn’t know where to turn.

“We never chose to be in this situation.

“At the group it’s very informal and you can just talk about everything. I don’t always see myself as coming to the group every week for myself, I’m here to help others as well.”

The group was set up by PC Alan Ratnage and PSCO Shauna Richardson, from Pitsea police, along with members of the Essex Drug Intervention Programme.

Karen Eaton, another mum who attends, added: “There is no pressure for people to come each week, they can just come if they want to.

“The good thing about the group is it is face-to-face. It’s not like where you are given numbers and you speak to someone at the end of the phone. Here you get a shoulder to cry on.”

The group, which also has a dedicated mobile phone 24-hours a day, meets every Thursday from 7pm to 9pm. Drug workers also attend to give families support and advice.

For more information, call 07906 601473 or e-mail basildon family@googlemail.com