Why Support a Drug User - EDP Drug & Alcohol Services

Why Support a Drug User

Here you can read testimonials from people who work with EDP about why they feel what we do is so important.

Being a trustee of EDP is, for me, one of the most important things I do. Drugs and alcohol touch the lives of all of us; I cannot think of a single person, myself included, who does not have an acquaintance or family member who has been affected in some way. And yet the problem remains largely hidden. People who suffer from drug and alcohol abuse are stigmatised, even shunned by society. But EDP tackles this issue head on. It gives people second chances, and supports them to return to leading fulfilling lives once more. I cannot praise the work of this organisation too highly. 

Michele Rowan, Service Manager South Devon

People who misuse substances are much maligned and stigmatised in society but I feel every individual has a lot to contribute to their community and I am passionate about how we can support a person’s recovery journey.  At EDP we find ways to walk alongside people, offer tools and options for recovery, provide opportunities to develop and grow, and hopefully move away from a drug using lifestyle. 

A close friend of mine struggled with alcohol dependency for many years before he finally managed to stop drinking.  I’ve never forgotten how with help and support he was able to turn his life around from the most desperate of situations.  I believe tackling addiction is one of the hardest and most impressive things a person can do and I am privileged to be part of an organisation that every day and night makes a tangible and positive difference to so many people's lives.

Paul Taylor, Board of Trustees

Counsellor

Drug users come in all shapes and sizes – it isn’t possible to lump them all together in a homogenous group.  However, researchers have broadly agreed a number of risk factors that make problematic drug use much more likely to take root in people’s lives and these include abuse, school exclusion, isolation, unemployment, homelessness, and mental health issues.  It is apparent that these risk factors are almost always features of the environment in which a person is living, rather than the result of choices they have made.  In my opinion – I base this on direct, face to face experience of counselling over a thousand dependent drug users  in the last twenty years – these people are usually survivors and taking drugs is what they believe helps them to survive.  So, in reality, helping someone out of the vicious circle of continuing problematic drug use means looking at the whole picture, and bit by bit investing that person with the confidence to start putting right all the things they find oppressive in their lives. 

Nik Sutherland, Care Coordinator

I spent 20 years misusing drugs and know from personal experience how it feels to be judged.  When I finally asked for help I found a drugs project who offered me non-judgmental support to address my dependency.  I will never forget the sense of relief I felt once I'd made the decision to turn my life around.  I also felt real warmth from the workers at that project and knew then that one day I'd like to do their job.  For me it is a privilege and an honour to work with the clients that I do at EDP and see people transform their lives to a life of hope and positivity. Recovery is not just about drugs, it's about helping clients find/rediscover their inner resources and get to college, into work and stable housing and rediscover fun.  I've seen people change from a life of despair to live life beyond their wildest dreams.