Former drug addicts throughout the East of England will be celebrating freedom from addiction and the rebuilding of shattered lives in a week of events in prisons, treatment centres and community halls across the region.
Eastern Region Recovery Week (25-29 October 2010), supported by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) to promote recovery and to encourage other drug users to come into treatment, will feature events in Norfolk, Bedfordshire, Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Regional Manager for the NTA, Emma Pawson, said:
"The aim of the NTA is to move people as quickly and safely as possible through treatment to recovery and re-integration into society.
"However, former drug users need jobs, housing and the support of family and community if they are to sustain recovery. This is where mutual aid networks, peer support groups and recovery communities come in. The NTA is delighted to assist them in promoting their vital work and their success.
"Month by month, more and more people in the East of England are successfully overcoming addiction. We must continue to work together to enable users to get off drugs altogether, get on with their lives and making a contribution to their families, communities and society. This week is a chance to celebrate recovery and empower others to do the same"
Former addicts with their families, drug workers and supporters are planning hundreds of activities to showcase the benefits of recovery including parties and films, planting and balloon launching ceremonies, prison bands and art exhibitions.
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Notes to editors
For further information about the Eastern Region Recovery Week, please contact Emma Pawson, Acting Regional Manager on 07768 173758 or the NTA regional office on 01223 372553.
Full list of local events.
About the NTA
The National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA) is a National Health Service (NHS) special health authority which aims to improve the availability, capacity and effectiveness of drug treatment in England. We help people to overcome addiction and regain their lives.
Latest statistics for drug treatment in East of England
Regional analysis and emerging trends can be found here
Latest drug treatment stats for the region (published October 2010) can be found here
Some stories of recovery in the East of England:
28 year old woman from Essex
"My support worker and my parents; if it wasn't for them there's no telling what I would be doing now. But all that I know is that now I have a beautiful daughter, a wonderful boyfriend, supportive parents and the best friends anyone could ask for. I got rid of drugs, so can you!"
30 year old woman from Cambridgeshire
"I fit in my skin now. For years and years I walked with my head down, I hated everyone and I didn't feel comfortable, even before I started using I wasn't comfortable. Now I know who I am, I quite like myself most days, I've got a lot of respect for myself and I think I'm alright. That's what I want people to know ... anything's possible. Like the film says, "If you dream it you can be it. You can be whatever you want. "
Male prisoner, Suffolk.
"My counsellor gave me the encouragement I needed to go for it. To my surprise I got the job and once I had completed my educational courses I was the teams new peer support worker. This has helped me to see the importance of hard work and the rewards of success. It is true that what you put in you get out and life is made up of actions followed by consequences. Choice defines a person and only the right choice will give everlasting happiness, not drugs.