Keep nose clean with rehab team

OFFENDERS who quit drugs in prison can now benefit from Oldham’s first drop-in centre to prevent them from falling off the wagon after release.

Believed to be the first of its kind in Greater Manchester, Release from Addiction, at Brunswick House, Union Street, is a probation-led scheme, funded by the NHS.

Probation officer Jenna Tett is based at the centre for half the week and co-ordinates the project.

Jenna said: “We have a passionate, dedicated team and I’m confident we’ll make a very positive impact on substance use and crime in the borough.

“Ultimately, our aim is to protect the public. We can best achieve that goal by rehabilitating offenders back into their community.”

The pilot service, running until November, supports offenders as they rebuild their lives free from drug abuse.

The drop-in centre is open every day and also provides a place where offenders can get support and have a decent brew.

Release from Addiction has links with Forest Bank and Styal prisons so released offenders continue to receive supervision in the community as part of a new initiative called Through the Gate.

Jenna said: “It makes so much sense that anyone who has started to address their addiction while they are in custody is given the utmost support to continue that when they leave the prison gates.

“We see time and again that, once people who commit crime to feed an addiction stop taking drugs and engage with services, then they stop committing crime.”

The scheme uses mentors with personal experience of drugs misuses to work with offenders and has links with education and training providers, a boxing club and organisations needing volunteers.

Julian Guerriero, criminal justice lead for the Oldham Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said: “We frequently see that once people who commit crime to feed an addiction are able to stop taking drugs and engage with services, then they stop committing crime.”

Partners involved in the project include addiction recovery charity Acorn Recovery Projects, Oldham Council’s drug services and Depaul UK.

Abstinence services on offer include Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, Intuitive Thinking Skills, TU Employment and the Reduction and Motivation Programme.