Jul 21 - GSD Committed To “Root And Branch Review” Of Addiction Treatment And Addiction Counselling Services
The GSD says it has long supported the work being done at Bruce’s Farm and will continue to welcome initiatives which improve the lives of people who have been afflicted by the harmful effects of addiction. The party says that it should be recalled that it was a GSD administration that opened Bruce’s Farm and also introduced mandatory drugs testing both in prison and as part of the parole process which helps keep people clean of drugs. Party Spokesman for Rehabilitation of Offenders Elliott Phillips and the Leader of the Party Daniel Feetham, have spoken with a number of stakeholders and former addicts in order to understand the problems being experienced and look at ways the service can be improved.
The GSD says that, if elected into office at the next General Election, it is committed to conduct a “root and branch review” of treatment plans, resources, and secondary care and how separate Ministries interact with each other so that addiction can be properly tackled. The GSD adds that it is committed to offering specialist addiction counselling which must see the involvement of former service users who have positively found the path to overcoming their addiction. The GSD is also committed to expanding and resourcing secondary and tertiary care in order to support those people who have successfully completed the 12-step program.
The GSD, as part of its wider consultation, says it will be reaching out to former services users, the RGP and Bruce’s Farm, Drugs Strategy Coordinator and other interested parties in a non-partisan way in order to look at ways in which it can “really focus in on improving the service moving forward for the benefit of our community.”
Elliott Phillips, GSD Spokesman for Rehabilitation of Offenders said: “Addiction is a lifelong battle which requires lifelong support. Addiction is not a party political issue and we all accept that substance or other forms of addiction can be serious problem affecting not only addicts but also their families and the wider community. Addiction is harmful to society as a whole and the GSD supports programs and initiatives that fully support an addict after completing the 12-step program this needs to be supported so as to encourage deeper recovery and prevent relapse. The use of former servicer users and those people who have successfully managed to accept and have committed to a life of abstinence must be integral part of the service”.
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