Drugs clinic to open in autumn (From Free Press Series)

Drugs clinic to open in autumn

1:36pm Thursday 29th June 2006 in Pontypool news

A DRUG and alcohol abuse clinic costing £500,000 is to open in September.

The "desperately needed" project will be in Pontypool town centre at the former Mount GP surgery in George Street.

The clinic will be a base for GPs, psychiatrists, youth workers and others who will provide assessments, counselling, training, education, and support groups for addicts and their families.

A needle-exchange service will encourage users to dispose of needles safely and will help minimise infection.

The clinic, which will be run by Torfaen council's community safety team, will open from 8am to midnight, Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 11pm on Sundays.

David Jeremiah, of Torfaen's Community Safety Partnership, said around 100 families affected by drug and alcohol abuse in the area will benefit from the services.

"They desperately need help it will help them to address their addiction," he said. The nearest clinics are in Blackwood and Newport.

Pontypool councillor Lyn Irwin visited drug addiction centres in London and Glasgow in his former capacity as a youth worker.

He described the clinic as an "essential" addition to the town. "It destroys families. We can't shove it under the carpet, and I fully support this clinic."

Martin Blakebrough is chief executive of Kaleidoscope, an independent Newport-based drug abuse clinic.

He said: "We are pleased that Pontypool now has something for drug users but disappointed that it doesn't include treatment."

The proposal, put forward after extensive public consultation, was approved by Torfaen planning committee on Tuesday.

Councillor Gwyneira Clark, Torfaen council member for housing and community safety has said the centre is desperately needed because the borough has a serious problem, with most under-18s already drinking alcohol regularly.

"We cannot bury our heads in the sand," she said.