In Merseyside, the surge in substance abuse, particularly involving synthetic opioids and ketamine, has raised alarm, especially as young people fall victim to severe health issues. Kelly Smith from Change, Grow, Live (CGL) in Kirkby highlights the dire consequences, noting, “It’s got so bad that young children are ending up with colostomy bags,” due to ketamine’s damaging effects on the bladder. This underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and intervention in the community.

CGL plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, offering a comprehensive range of services to aid those grappling with addiction. Their support extends from inpatient and home detoxes to medication and counselling. Amanda Murphy, a recovering alcohol user, shares her transformative journey with CGL, stating, “I got a good wrap-around service from them, and I’ve made friends in there, which is really good. We support each other every day.”

The We Got HeART (WGH) exhibition, a collaborative effort with Merseyside Police, provides a creative outlet for individuals in recovery. Amanda, now sober, finds solace and expression through art, saying, “I’m drawn to the idea of freedom – freedom from alcohol and all the problems that surrounded that.” The exhibition is part of project ADDER, which sees government funding channeled into initiatives that tackle addiction and its root causes.

Inspector Alan McKeon from Merseyside Police applauds the initiative, noting, “In 20 years of operational policing, this has been the most rewarding piece of work I have been involved in. It has demonstrated the importance of preventative work to reduce harm in our communities” (Source).

This work is about more than fighting addiction; it’s about giving people a fresh start. With community support and projects like these, there is real hope for recovery and a better future.

Source: Echo