Support extended to families of drug users

Story: Erik Geddes
Picture: Stuart Maxwell

 

 

The families in a Glasgow area ravaged by drugs have been given the chance to come together and help overcome hurdles together.

Drumchapel Community Centre was the venue for the Scottish Families Affected by Drugs hosted open day on Tuesday 3 August.

The turn-out of affected family members was more a trickle than a torrent, but the event marks a stepping-stone towards a more joined-up approach in supporting and helping families.

The LOCAL NEWS spoke with two sisters, originally from Drumchapel, who

dropped in to the Centre keen to do volunteer work.

Janet said: ‘Days like this are important for people who want to help themselves and get healthy so they can better their lives.

‘You don’t see people taking drugs in front of you but it is easy to recognise the scale of the problem when you walk through Drumchapel shopping centre. You see heads hanging down and hear people shouting abuse.’

Margaret added: ‘Taking drugs isolates people and makes them paranoid. ‘Coming here and getting involved will slowly but surely help them get back to some sort of normality.

‘I want to let my daughter out to play, but at the moment, it’s not safe.’

As well as volunteering opportunities and advice stalls there was a team of therapists offering free massage and reiki. These therapies offer a stress-busting opportunity for mums, dads, brothers and sisters who dedicate much of their energies to a loved one.

Cara MacDowall, Chief Executive of Scottish Families Affected by Drugs is hopeful that more families will now come forward in the Drumchapel area.

She said: ‘Families are often overlooked in drug treatment but are sometimes the only constant and solid factor in the usually chaotic life of the user.

‘Families also need support as there is a lot of pressure and stress when you have a loved one with an addiction.

‘Our organisation is there to provide support and also to say to government that there is a significant role for families in the rehabilitation process.’

If you have someone in your family affected by drugs and would be keen to find out about support groups, befriending or just confidential advice then please contact Lisa Finlayson Development Officer at Scottish Families Affected by Drugs 0141 221 0544 or Marlene Taylor at Families Affected by Drug & Alcohol use on 0141 420 2050.