28

SUIT Volunteers‟ Interview

with Dr Ryan - Shared Care

G.P and All Round Good Guy

How do you think the shared care

system is progressing and is there

anything that could be done better?

Shared Care is progressing well. It‟s 6 years

old in May and in some respects we could

be doing better than we are. We should be

able to look after more service users in

Shared Care but there are issues with

capacity because the scheme is only

funded for 350 patients, something which

we are addressing at the moment. In terms

of doing things better, from a government

point of view we should be “moving more

people onto recovery”. This is more easily

said than done. We need to treat each

service user on his/her personal merits and

not just chase arbitrary targets. On the plus

side we have excellent retention and also

very good low threshold re-entry and an

excellent team of keyworkers and a very

good skill mix among the GPs.

How do you feel about the cuts to ser-

vices and will it affect your work?

With regards to the cuts in services it‟s

difficult to say clearly because of the reces-

sion and the severe financial problems the

country is facing and uncertainty around

the government‟s policies. It‟s a worrying

time for everybody so it is difficult to be

optimistic about services being maintained

and funded at current levels.

What‟s your vision for the future of ser-

vices and do you intend to be a part of

it?

In terms of our vision for the future I think we

should have more “complex‟‟ service users

in Shared Care and also more patients from

the criminal justice system, especially

patients and service users on a low DRR.

Many of those patients would be better

placed within Shared Care before they

become embedded into the more difficult

culture of specialist services.

Also more patients should be treated in the

community even if they are not in Shared

Care.

As an ex-drug user who is now clean, I

am experiencing a desire to help those

still using. Where would you say was

the area that my help would be most

beneficial? I think an ex-drug user who is

no longer using drugs (I don‟t use terms like

clean or dirty), that you might encourage

other drug users to enter treatment and

encourage those service users who are sta-

ble on low, long term doses of medication

to think about reducing and stopping their

substitute or blockade medication. Obvi-

ously everybody is different and people will

progress at their own pace and should do it

for their own sake, and not for the sake of

hitting targets or to meet the aspirations of

other people. Ex-users might have greater

credibility with service users that profession-

als don‟t necessarily have, and they may be

more persuasive in addressing the fears

people have about reducing or stopping

their medication.

What do you do to relax after a hard

day/ week? Read, listen to music, cook and eat,

sometimes all at same time - who says men

can‟t multitask ?

Wolverhampton Drug Service Users Lifestyle MagazineWolverhampton Drug Service Users Lifestyle MagazineWolverhampton Drug Service Users Lifestyle Magazine

Issue 18 July– August 2010

Healthy Eating Healthy Eating -- Simple, cost effective tipsSimple, cost effective tips

Project Prevention Project Prevention -- US based company in the UKUS based company in the UK

Life After Drugs Life After Drugs -- The journey to a better lifeThe journey to a better life

FREE

2

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this work, no responsibility for loss or damage occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any statement in it, can be ac-

cepted by the editor or by Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council Service User Involvement Team,

as publishers. We would also like to thank all those that have contributed to this edition of the magazine.

Welcome to Welcome to Welcome to

Welcome to issue 18 of substance magazine and what is

hopefully the start of a hot summer! (what are the chances of

that). As we are sending the magazine to print England are still

in the world cup, whether they will be when you are reading

this, well I wouldn't like to say.

In this issue we have looked at healthy living, this coincides

with the opening of a healthy living drop in being run in Low

Hill (see page 11 for more details). We also have a follow up

story on someone who is doing extremely well, his story was in

the last issue „Middle Aged Drug Addict‟, and now he had

kindly written „Life After Drugs‟ for us. I hope this inspires people

and gives everyone a little bit of hope, and belief that you

can have a life after using drugs.

As always thank you very much to the people who

contributed to this issue, and if you would like to come to our

editorial meeting or just contribute an article please do get in

touch, you can text us, call us or send your work to our

freepost address on the opposite page.

Enjoy!

Substance Magazine Editorial Group.

This magazine is put together by Wolverhampton

Service User Involvement Team who hold fortnightly

editorial group meetings to discuss its content, printing

etc. If you would like to be part of the Team please call

us on 01902 328983 or text your details to 88010 starting

your message with the word SUIT.

Local Service Directory

Full Address: Wolverhampton PCT Tel No:01902 444030

Addiction Services

Horizon House

Pitt Street

Wolverhampton

WV3 0NF

A l c oh o l an d Dru g D rop In -

Monday to Thursday 9am - 12noon

Service User Involvement Team

S U I T Full Address:

c/o WVSC

16 Temple Street

Wolverhampton

WV2 4AN

Tel No -:

01902 328983 or

www.suiteam.com

Helping to improve

drug treatment and lives

Subs– see young

people across the

city at various

community

venues.

Telephone

Number:

01902 572041

Opening Hours:

Monday to Thursday - 9am - 6pm

Friday - 9am - 5pm

Offers; Group Work, Key Work, Harm

Reduction, Substitute Prescribing,

Acupuncture, Family Therapy,

General Drug Information.

Progress 2

Work

Contact Dani Folan on

(07814 414560) or ask your key

worker or Jobcentre Advisor to

be referred.

Local Service Directory

LITTLE BROTHERS OF

THE GOOD

SHEPHERD

The Methodist Centre.

24 School Street,

Wolverhampton

Morning Service 10.30 – 11.30 a.m.

Monday & Thursday: Dry Food,

Gents Clothes, Male Showers

Friday: Gents Clothes, Male

Shower

Afternoon Service: 2 – 3.30 pm.

Daily: Service of Food Packages

If you need any advice or guidance on Homelessness is-

sues feel free to con-

tact Wolverhampton

City Council on the

details below -:

Homeless Services

Unit

Social Services

Wolverhampton City

Council

Civic Centre

St. Peter's Square

Wolverhampton

WV1 1RB

The Lords

Soup Kitchen Full Meals

served

between

7 & 9pm - :

Sun and Wed.

For anyone in

need.

All Welcome

● Provide advice & guid-

ance

● Activities like life skills, literacy etc

● Signposting

● Benefits & Tenancy advice

● Base for Big Issue Plus much more...

St. GeorgesSt. GeorgesSt. Georges Tel -:

(01902)

421904

St Marks Rd

Chapel Ash

W‟ton

WV3 09H Hub

Opening Hrs

09:15 -17:00

3

What’s inside this edition. Contents Page

The latest news Pg 4-5

Project Prevention Pg 6-7

Poem– through my window Pg 8

SUIT website!!! Pg 9

Meow Meow didn't kill teens Pg 10

Healthy living drop in Pg11- 12 A page for you Pg 13-14

Magazine advert Pg 15

International remembrance day Pg 16

Women's group advert Pg 17

Healthy living for a better life Pg 18

Recipe idea Pg 19

Poem– Goodnight in jail Pg 20 Your Questions Pg 21

Life after drugs Pg 22-23

Local NA meetings Pg 24

Needle exchange pharmacies Pg 25

Local service Directory Pg 26-27

DON‟T FORGET

Anyone can contribute an article, poem, story, question etc. Send your stuff FREE to:

SUIT, c/o WVSC, FREEPOST MID14051, Wolverhampton, WV2 4BR.

4

Fungus destroys Afghan opium poppy crop

A fungus rife across opium poppy crops in

Afghanistan is thought to have

affected half of the entire national crop.

The poppies, previously grown in all 34

provinces and now in just a handful, are

responsible for 92% of the world's opium. It

is thought that the fungus currently

destroying crops could have a significant

effect on price. Opium stocks held by insurgent groups such as

the Taliban will see a distinct rise in their revenues as demand for

the drug rises

Source - www.drinkanddrugnews.com

Drug Scope and Addaction have been called

upon to help the scriptwriters of Eastenders to

present a new storyline with sensitivity.

The storyline, involving long-standing character Phil

Mitchell, will see him spiral into depression and become ad-

dicted to crack cocaine. A spokeswoman said that the

programme 'has a history of tackling social issues', and that

this story will show the difficulties which come with sub-

stance misuse. Phil will face the prospect of 'losing his son

Ben and daughter Louise' in a hard hitting plot to start this

summer. Martin Barnes of Drug Scope commented that,

providing the issue was presented sensitively, it 'could really

help people understand some of the issues many families

go through in real life'.

Source– Addaction

News - News - News – News - News - News - News - News

25

A List of Pharmacies In Wolverhampton who Offer Needle Exchange

A Brickley Ltd, 88 Griffiths Drive, WV11 2JW

All Saints Pharmacy, 91-93 All Saints Road, WV2 1DR

Alpharm Ltd, 468 Stafford Road, WV10 6AP

Anderson Chemist, 311 Dudley Road, WV2 3JE

Boots Pharmacy, 40-41 Dudley Street, WV1 3ER

Boots Pharmacy, 100 Church Street, Bilston, WV14 0BJ

Brooklands Pharmacy, 48 Brooklands Parade, WV1 2NE

Brutons Pharmacy, 1 Mervyn Place, Bilston, WV14 8DD

Co-op Pharmacy, Avion Centre, 6 Bargate Drive, WV6 0QW

Co-op Pharmacy, 425 Dudley Road, WV2 3AH

Co-op Pharmacy, 8 Showell Circus, WV10 9BA

Co-op, Pendeford Health Centre, Whitburn Close, WV9 5NJ

Essington Pharmacy, 129 Long Knowle Lane, WV11 1JG

HN Pharmacy, 124 Cannock Road, WV10 8PW

Lloyds Pharmacy, 323/325 Penn Road, WV4 5QF

Lloyds Pharmacy, 34/35 Thornley Street, WV1 1JP

Lloyds Pharmacy, 18-20 The Broadway, WV10 8EB

Lloyds Pharmacy, 45 Church Street, WV14 0AX

Lloyds Pharmacy, Lower Street, WV6 9NS

Lloyds Pharmacy, 181 Wednesfield Road, WV10 0EN

Lloyds Pharmacy, 18 High Street, Wednesfield, WV11 1SZ

Meerapharm, 331 Bushbury Lane, WV10 9UJ

Murrays Healthcare, 128 Childs Avenue, Coseley, WV14 9XB

Phoenix Pharmacy, Phoenix Health Centre, Parkfield Road, WV4 6ED

Staveley Chemist, 212 Staveley Road, WV1 4RH

Supercare Pharmacy, 135 Dudley Road, WV2 3HD

Superdrug Pharmacy, 65/67 Mander Square, WV1 3NN

Tettenhall Wood Pharmacy, 12 School Road, WV6 8EN

All equipment is provided for free

Look out

for this sign

on the shop

front to find

out if they

provide the

service

24

W o l v e r h a m p t o n ►Monday 7:30 pm Methodist Church, Darlington Street

►Friday 7:30 pm Methodist Church, Darlington Street

W e s t B r o m w i c h ►Wednesday 7:30 pm „One desire-freedom‟, Chapter House

Phoenix St

(upstairs in lounge ring bell for access).

W a l s a l l ►Thursday 7:30 pm „The war is over‟, St Matthew centre,

St Matthew close, Churchill. (Ring bell for

access).

S t o u r b r i d g e ►Monday 8:00 pm 54, Claycroft Place, Lye DY9 8BZ

►Tuesday 8:00 pm Gibbs House, Gibbs Rd, off Bald Lane, Lye.

►Wednesday 6:30 pm „The truth in Lye‟, The Warehouse,

Atlantic House,

Dudley Rd. (Building behind the Bronx).

- Open on request.

5

Sir Mick Jagger has said on TV that drugs should be legalised on the Isle of Man to

discover what impact it would have on society.

Speaking on US chat show Larry King

Live, the Rolling Stones singer said the

island's "captive society" should be

used to "see what happens".

The 66-year-old said that the island

was already used as a testing ground

for trying out new mobile phones.

Speaking on Larry King Live on CNN,

Sir Mick said: "The whole question of legalising drugs is

fraught. "You usually try these things out in very small

places. You know, like you try a new product out in a small

kind of society or an island somewhere.

"In England they always try out new mobile phones in the

Isle of Man. They've got a captive society. You should try

the legalisation of all drugs on the Isle of Man and see what

happens."

Source - www.bbcnews.co.uk

SUIT Website Up and Running

Our website is up and running, so please log on to find out

more about us and our work. See previous issues of

Substance, read personal testimonies, find useful links,

„User‟ or „Abuser‟ Calculator, Gallery, Jobs/Training and

Education, „Have Your Say‟ blog page, plus much more.

Log onto -: www.suiteam.com

News - News - News – News - News - News - News - News

6

Charity that sterilises addicts, to come to UK

Drug addiction experts have reacted with horror at the

revelation that a controversial American charity worker

who pays addicts to be sterilised is setting up a franchise in

Britain.

Project Prevention, which operates out of North Carolina,

has stopped more than 3,500 drink and drug addicts from

having children by paying them up to £200 to seek long

term or permanent forms of contraception such as an IUD

implant or full sterilisation. Once the addicts prove that an

operation has been carried out they are awarded a cash

sum which, even the charity admits, usually goes towards

feeding their habits.

Barbara Harris, the charity's founder, believes encouraging

drug addicts to seek sterilisation saves thousands of

children from growing up within a damaged environment.

She has adopted five children who were born to

crack-addicted mothers. But critics say her approach

automatically stigmatises all addicts as bad parents.

That argument has now crossed the Atlantic following the

announcement that Mrs Harris has founded a free phone

number for UK addicts who will be paid if they get

themselves sterilised.

Andrew Horne, the director of Addaction, one of the UK's

largest addiction charities, lambasted the American

charity's approach.

US marketing on the right displaying the

number to call : (888 - 30 - CRACK)

23

Life after Drugs

My involvement with RDA led to me getting involved with

SCMH (Sainsbury centre of mental health). Along with others

from various locations around the country have been involved

in the „COCOA project‟, this stands for „care of offenders

continuity of access‟, as a team we are employed by SCMH

as peer researchers to run focus groups to find out what

services people received in prison and on their release.

Looking for both positive and negative feedback, in

connection with alcohol, drug and mental health issues. We

get paid by RDA and SCMH for the work we do.

I am now also a member of the „experts by experience‟ panel

and attend regular meetings at the civic centre. It was at one

of these meetings I heard a guest speaker from LINK and

became interested in what they do as a result of this I am now

a LINK board member. LINK is an organisation that deals with

issues people may have in the community and with the NHS. I

am finding it very rewarding and time well spent. I have also

recently been elected to the commissioning board for

„supporting people‟.

Through my involvement with SUIT I have attended the NCFE

level 1 course in drug awareness. I hope to take this work

further as I have a burning desire to work within

Wolverhampton drug‟s services. Having experienced drugs

from the wrong side I now want to be in a position to help

those who are still struggling with such issues.... There is a life after drugs

I have my family, dignity, life and pride back!!!!

By Alan Kilmister.

22

Life after Drugs

You may have read my last story

in this magazine called „middle

aged drug addict‟, well this is my

follow on story and tells you what

I have been doing since I moved

on with my life. It is now fifteen

months since I moved into

shared accommodation and it‟s

flown by, but in that time I have

been keeping busy and actually

enjoying my life. I have my two

daughters back in my life and three lovely grandchildren.

There‟s also my family in Leeds and I now have my two

brothers back in my life, who I visit when I can.

Despite my move I have continued to support P3 hostel as a

thank you for the help they gave during my stay there and

also from the floating support team. Whilst in the hostel I was

part of the client involvement team and the development

squad, and still do so by attending forums and having my

say. More recently when they were looking to recruit new

staff I was invited to sit on the recruitment panel, and then

the interview panel. During my stay I did in house training with

them which covered this.

In addition to my work with P3 I have, along with other

ex-service users been involved with RDA (revolving doors

agency) in London, attending forums and meetings. I have

recently received a certificate for taking part in a research

training course with them. RDA is a charity that supports

those who have been homeless, those with drug or alcohol

related issues and also people with mental health issues.

7

"There is no place for Project Prevention in the UK because

their practices are morally reprehensible and irrelevant," he

said. "Our first-hand experience shows that people can

make positive changes with the right support – both for

themselves and for their children. In fact, many of our cli-

ents stopped using drugs because they became a parent."

Mrs Harris, who is currently in the UK, defended her work

and claimed she was already talking to a number of

unnamed drug agencies in London.

"We're going to make this offer to drug addicts, social

workers, law enforcement," she said. "Anyone who comes

in contact with these women can refer addicts to us now

we have an 0800 number here in the UK. We hope the

scheme will grow as much here as it did in the US, and that

people will support us financially. We need the cash to pay

the addicts."

8

Looking through my window

day dreaming,

How life should be?

Please let drugs set me free,

Met some guys called Pat

and Sunny,

And don‟t forget the crafty

cockney Lee ,

They said come to SUIT

and play footie on a Monday,

And one of these days,

you shall see,

You can be free,

one day at a time,

Just like me.

You will be free !!

By M. P

Through My Window

21

Got a Question?

Need Answers?

Don‟t know where to

turn?

Send your questions to SUIT and we

will get the answers you deserve.

Simply post your question to -:

Substance Magazine

SUIT c/o WVSC

Freepost 14051

Wolverhampton

WV2 4BR

Your questions answered

Q. do you give any advice/info

for people who are exiting

treatment on how their body will

change/be affected by stopping

their prescription medication or

illicit drugs (depending on

treatment being received)?

Anon.

A. Yes information and harm

reduction advice are given prior

the stopping of medication

during and after, all the

information is given to the client

in order for them to make the

decision on what they want and

to raise there own concerns and

anxieties.

Angie Evans

Specialist Manager

Wolverhampton Addiction se

Services

20

Goodnight in Jail By J. Smith

A gathering crowd in the yard,

To guess the reason isn't hard,

There‟s stuff about, I think it‟s smack,

I see the dealer in the back,

A voice then whispers in my ear,

Asks me if I want some gear,

“Not for me” I‟m tellin ‟em straight,

But others wouldn‟t hesitate!

To book a single night of bliss,

What is it I will pay for this?

Apart from cash that should be mine,

I could be doing extra time,

So, is it worth it for a shot?

I have to tell you “No it‟s Not!!”

9

10

Report Shows 'Meow Meow' Didn't Kill Teens

A recently banned "legal high" was

not responsible for the deaths of two

teenagers, it has emerged.

Mephedrone, or Meow Meow, was

graded as a class B drug along with

cannabis.

Mephedrone was made illegal by the

previous government following

concerns about the dangers linked to

using it.

It was thought 18-year-old Louis Wain-

wright and 19-year-old Nicholas Smith,

both from Scunthorpe in Lincolnshire, died because of the drug.

At the time Humberside Police indicated they had information to suggest

the deaths were linked to Mephedrone - also referred to as Meow Meow

or M-Cat.

However, reports said that toxicology tests showed neither teen had the

substance in their blood and investigations into what the pair ingested

were continuing.

There are now calls for a review of the ban, which saw Mephedrone

graded as a class B drug along with cannabis and amphetamines.

The UK Drug Policy Commission said the only good that might emerge

from the fiasco was a long overdue review of drug control policy.

Chief executive Roger Howard said: "We believe the new Government

has an opportunity to both better protect the public and save money by

reshaping the architecture for decision-making.

"Getting the governance right will lead to better outcomes for every

community in Britain, and rebuild trust between experts and politicians."

While the ban was supported by Nicholas' parents, the move prompted a

political row.

Two members of the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD), the

body that advises the government on drug-related matters, quit over the

matter.

One of them, Eric Carlin, told Sky News in April he felt let down by the

decision to rush through the ban.

He explained in his resignation letter: "As well as being extremely unhappy

with how the ACMD operates, I am not prepared to continue to be part

of a body which, as its main activity, works to facilitate the potential

19

Warm Tuna and Penne Salad

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 Minutes

Cooking time: 15 Minutes

Nutrition per serving: 420 cals, 5.1g fat, of which 0.9g saturated fat, 9.2g

added sugar, 1.1g salt

You will need

2 Loose red onions

1 yellow pepper

1 lemon

70g pack of wild rocket leaves

400g tin skipjack tuna chunks in spring water

500g pack whole-wheat penne

1 tablespoon of olive oil

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan and peel and finely slice the red

onions. Add the onions to the pan and sauté for a couple of minutes.

Deseed and finely slice the yellow pepper, then add to the pan. Con-

tinue to fry for a few minutes, and then set aside.

Cook 350g whole-wheat penne following pack instructions. Drain and

return to the pot, then stir through the onion and pepper.

Sprinkle the zest of 1 lemon over the penne and squeeze over the juice.

Drain the tuna chunks in spring water and add to the penne along with

he wild rocket leaves. Toss through and then cook over a low heat until

warmed through. Serve!

(If you buy all of these ingredients from Sainsbury’s it will cost less than £5)

18

Healthy eating for a better life! By SUIT

Why is healthy eating so important?

Drug and alcohol use often goes hand in hand with irregular eat-

ing patterns, eating less healthy food and simply not eating

enough to keep your body and mind functioning optimally.

Drugs and alcohol can hinder the absorption of nutrients by the

gut and hamper the processing of nutrients into energy and all

the chemicals that keep your body and mind running.

Periods of substance misuse can starve the brain of the nutrients it

needs to function well, and this can contribute to negative

moods such as depression, anxiety and aggression. Even when

you are drug free, these negative moods may lead to relapse.

If you have HIV, hepatitis C or your liver has been damaged

through alcohol use, it is even more important that you try to eat

healthily to prevent progression of the disease.

If you have damaged or missing teeth or a sore mouth, you may

find this affects what you choose to eat. A poor diet can contrib-

ute to more problems with your teeth and gums, which in turn

can mean an even more unhealthy diet. Drugs and alcohol reduce the nutrients needed to keep the body

and mind healthy.

Forgetting to eat

Spending money on drugs instead of food

Missing meals

Drinking too much alcohol

Eating lots of fast food

Not eating fruit and vegetables All contribute to starving the body and mind of the nutrients they

need.

Eating regular healthier, balanced meals can help:

Keep your body healthy

Fight off infections

Build your muscle

Maintain ideal weight

Improve your mood

Develop better sleep patterns And feeling healthy with improved mood and sleep can help you

stay drug free! 11

Healthy living Drop in SUIT out and about in Low Hill

The Scotland's and Low Hill community of Wolverhampton

have come together with the help of local neighbourhood

partnership to set up a healthy living, open door drop in

service at the Neil Docherty centre.

The aim of the service is to give the Scotland's and Low Hill

community a place that is welcome, safe and strictly pri-

vate and confidential, where they can get help and ad-

vice with health and social issues, such as:

Stop smoking

Health checks

Substance misuse

Alcohol

Mental health

Training and Employment

Complementary therapy will be available to anyone, turn over to see opening times.

12

17

16

International Remembrance Day

21st July 2010

21st July; Remembering the Fallen The names and incidents of the many casualties of the

War on Drugs will never really be known.

International Remembrance Day is dedicated to those people, known

and unknown, who have died in the war against drugs. It is a time when

the drug using community can remember and pay tribute to our friends

and loved ones; for the funerals we couldn‟t attend, for the deaths that

no one acknowledged, for the moment we never got to say goodbye.

It is to remember those we know and those we don‟t – from our villages,

towns and cities across the world. The vast majority of these deaths are

not just deaths from drugs, but from the laws of prohibition and the per-

vasive ignorance and stigma that blindly follows.

July 21st is a Day to Remember. Those who have died from unregulated, adulterated drugs as a result of

today‟s black market.

Those who have been criminalized or incarcerated because of their

addiction only to overdose upon release;

Those who have died from drug related infections through poverty or

discrimination in our hospitals;

To those who die in prisons from disease, violence and the many state

sanctioned executions (such as Singapore, Burma and China), or from

vigilante death squads like in Thailand and Brazil;

Those who have died from the viruses transmitted due to a Drug War

mentality which actively discourages and even criminalizes needle

exchange and drug treatment programs such as in the Sweden and

Russia.

To those who defy the laws to obtain their medicine or drug of choice,

who get caught in the crossfire of heavily armed drug raids or gang

wars due to the profit motive of illegal drugs,

To those who give up hope or who gave up the struggle, to those who

couldn‟t fight anymore. To those who died in poverty, and alone.

July 21st is the day when all across the world, we will carry our torch of

dignity and hope and remember our friends.

13

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14

A Page For You!

This page has been left blank so you can send us your stories, poems or anything else you would like to see in the magazine, simply tear the page out and send it to our freepost address printed on the opposite side of the page. (If you don’t want your name with it, you don't have to)

15