addaction

Simon Antrobus is Addaction’s Chief Executive. He writes:

In the early 90s the prison population stood at 44,000. In less than 20 years it has almost doubled to 85,000, and it could rise to as high as 94,000 by 2015.

So, despite the crime rates falling, we lock more people up with no great change to re-offending rates and with no great change to people’s fear of crime.

Last week I met Greg (not his real name) who spent most of his childhood moving from one children’s home to the next, he didn’t know either of his parents and grew up without any real sense of love, affection or support.

Unsurprisingly, Greg grew into a tough, conflicted and angry adult. But should we really be surprised at that? Or that someone like Greg has used drugs to deal with deep-rooted emotional problems?

Greg’s drug use caused mayhem for him – and also for the community in which he lived. And like so many others, inevitably led him into crime and to prison.

Of course, prison is there to punish Greg. And it will protect his local community while he’s serving his sentence. But then what? Will it help him deal with his long-standing problems? Can it help him deal with the feelings he has desperately been trying to ignore? And will it stop him using drugs, and living a criminal life?

It’s clear that an overcrowded prison system, where reoffending rates remain consistently high, and where a disproportionate number of people with mental health problems and drug and alcohol addictions are incarcerated, needs reform. As well as punishing people, it can – and should – help rehabilitate.

Today, the Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke touched on just these kind of issues in his speech to the Centre for Crime and Justice studies in London. Clarke argued that “Banging up more and more people for longer” is actually making some criminals worse, without protecting the public.

Of course all of this needs careful thought, but despite our country’s tendency to go for the most punitive approach, we could do well to learn from elsewhere in the world and start treating the prison population, and people like Greg, as human beings.

Richard Wilkinson’s book The Spirit Level draws on wise comments from criminal lawyers, criminologists and psychiatrists in the Netherlands. They suggest that ‘a prison system should see the offender as a thinking feeling human being, capable of responding to therapeutic interventions aimed at supporting their rehabilitation.’ He also cites Japan’s low rates of imprisonment; something supported by flexibility in the prosecution and sentencing proceedings.

Yes we need a prison system that punishes and protects but we desperately need one that emphasises treatment and rehabilitation., and where it’s appropriate rehabilitation and support outside of prison walls. Genuine remorse, a commitment to atone for ones errors and a clear desire – and opportunity - to reform are key motivators to reparation programmes, inside or outside of prison.

This kind of approach not only reduces the prison population, it reduces the length of a sentence. It recognises that these people will ultimately live alongside all of us and their rehabilitation is not simply solved by a short or long dose of incarceration.

But, as it stands, the prison system is failing us and it’s failing people like Greg. As already stated, people with serious drug and alcohol problems make up a vast number of the prison population. The majority genuinely want to get clean, find a job, be in a relationship and live a normal, happy, family life.

So; calling for reform, as Kenneth Clarke has done today, is not just about calling for a reduction in the prison population. It’s also about what we do to help and support those who end up in prison, so they to lead the kind of lives they aspire to, and which benefit the people around them.

There have been various news reports over the past few weeks about the American organisation Project Prevention; which aims to prevent children being born to drug using parents by sterilising drug users. Project Prevention offers those drug users an incentive payment.
 
Addaction firmly believes that there is no place for Project Prevention in the UK because their practices are morally reprehensible and irrelevant.

Sex education and contraceptive advice is part of drug treatment work in this country. Women who use drugs can access all types of contraception free on the NHS including a number of long term options.

Addaction is one of the UK’s largest providers of drug treatment. 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 clients stopped using drugs because they became a parent.

It’s certainly true that too many children are growing up with drug-using parents, but working with the whole family – as Addaction does – helps stop drug use and improves a child’s prospects dramatically. 

You can find out how Addaction is tackling the problem here.

On behalf of everyone at Addaction we’d like to say congratulations and a huge thank you to all of the runners who took part in the 2010 Virgin London Marathon on Sunday. Fourteen runners took part in the 26.2 mile race through London and the sponsorship they raised goes straight into funding our essential work.

If you’re feeling inspired by this year’s Marathon and would like to find out how you can take part in the 2011 Virgin London Marathon or one of our other running events, take a look at our events page.

With six days of running (and a distance of 151 miles) across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, The Marathon des Sables is considered the toughest footrace on earth.

On April 8th, Tom Fitzsimons finished the race at 5.55am, and with a time of 53 hours and 54 minutes. A real achievement and hugely impressive, we think you’ll agree. You can see the moment Tom crossed the finish line, at the start of this youtube video.

Tom took part in the race on behalf of Addaction and the RFL Benevolent Fund. Tom has overcome a drink problem and now runs his own personal training company, helping people who have run into problems with alcohol themselves.

“I’ve not helped hundreds of people,” says Tom, “but I know I’ve helped some. And it’s great to show people they can deal with alcohol addiction, and get themselves back on track. And by raising money for charities like Addaction; I can do my small part in funding support for people with alcohol problems”.

You can read about Tom’s time during the run at his website www.dryingout.org , where you can also find other news, updates and the opportunity to continue to sponsor him in his aims to raise a whopping £10K;  This money that will go directly into helping Addaction’s clients and their families.

If you feel inspired to raise money for Addaction after reading about Tom’s efforts, why not take a look at our events pages?

 An updated range of leaflets are now available to download that keep you better informed about specific drugs (including alcohol), their legal status and their effects. As part of this range, we have included information on safer injecting as well as guidance on what you should do if someone overdoses.

You can download the range of leaflets, and find out how to order printed copies, here.

You can now follow Addaction’s news via our new twitter account. 

Simply go to twitter.com/AddactionUK to hear about our  news, updates and upcoming events.

After the festive celebrations you may be looking for a new year’s resolution, a chance to feel healthier or maybe you’re feeling inspired to raise some cash for a good cause.

Each year, many people take part in an ‘Alcohol Free Month’, getting friends to sponsor them as they give up alcohol in support of Addaction. With January’s good intentions this is the perfect time to get involved.

By taking part yourself, not only will you raise funds that go directly into helping our clients, you’ll also see a few small benefits yourself. As well as easing the January pinch by saving the cash you might normally spend on drink, you’ll also feel healthier after the excesses of the festive period.

So, give up alcohol for a month, or longer if you can, and help raise awareness and vital funds for Addaction so that we can continue to support people and families affected by drink and drug problems.

For more information and a fundraising pack contact Anna on 020 7017 2753 or email events@addaction.org.uk

To find out more about fundraising for Addaction. visit our events page.

‘With Addaction’s help, I’ve managed to beat my drug problem. I’ve also worked really hard at becoming a good parent with their support.

It means my son has a responsible dad now and for the first time in years we can spend Christmas and New Year together.

That really is something to look forward to.’
‘Paul’, Addaction client.

With the help of committed supporters like you, we’re able to continue to work with over 27,000 people with drink or drug problems each year, bringing families together and helping them to build a more positive future.

On behalf of all the staff, volunteers and service users at Addaction may I thank you all for your support and wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year.

Best wishes

Simon Antrobus
Chief Executive

By supporting Addaction you will help make a difference for people and families affected by drugs and alcohol problems across the UK. To donate, click here.

On Friday January 8th, in London’s Soho, magicians will be reading minds, making objects disappear and sawing people in half, all in support of Addaction.

Critically acclaimed by everyone from Time Out to the London Evening Standard, ‘Magic Night and One Trick Pony’ brings together some of the best new acts around. But if you’re expecting an evening of genteel card tricks, you may be in for a surprise - as the event promises to shock and amaze, and to show you things you’ve never seen before.

Appearing at the Addaction benefit will be master manipulator Oliver Tabor, there’ll be ‘grisly’ trickery from Barry and Stuart, as well as the hilarious Alan Hudson, Lee Hathaway, Neil Henry, James Pritchard, ‘dark mistress of magic’ Careena Fenton and a musical dance interlude from Madame Galina. And all of this will be expertly compered by the night’s ‘modern day Tommy Cooper’ Christian Lee.

All profits from the show will go to Addaction, and directly into helping the young people and families we work with across the UK.

To find out more about the night, visit magicnight.co.uk

1.3 million children under the age of 16 are living in homes where one of the parents has a serious drug or drink problem.

Find out more about our new campaign and how, by supporting Addaction, you can help change this 1.3 million figure.