Bracknell

The number of drug addicts in Bracknell Forest getting help to fight their addition has soared and exceeds Government targets.

New figures released by the NHS show that 182 people entered treatment for substance misuse in Bracknell Forest in 2005/06 - when the borough's target was 121.

And 55 per cent of service users stayed in treatment for 12 weeks or more which is important because users who stay and complete treatment programmes are more likely to beat their addictions altogether.

More and more people have been asking for help since New Hope, Bracknell's only drug drop-in centre, opened in July 2005.

The joint venture between Bracknell Forest Borough Council and other health, safety and drug agencies provides a much wider range of services on the door-step for people battling with both drink and drug addictions.

Previously addicts had to travel to Reading or Slough or receive a limited service in Bracknell.

Services commissioned by the borough's Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) based at New Hope include day-care programmes, criminal justice interventions, community and specialist prescribing services, housing help and support and a full range of aftercare support services.

Daphne Obang, Director of Social Services and Housing, said: "New Hope's central location and the wide range of services available there has encouraged more people to get help.

"The hard work and dedication of staff at New Hope has also contributed to the number of people seeking help which is reflected by more addicts staying in treatment for more than 12 weeks."

Cllr Dale Birch, Executive Member for Adult Services, Health Commissioning and Housing, said: "I'm very pleased to see that more and more people in the borough are getting help for their drug addictions.

"While we don't have a big substance misuse problem in Bracknell Forest we do have a dedicated team of staff and full treatment package available for those who do have a drug addiction.

"Staff at New Hope work extremely hard to provide a first-rate service to substance misusers in Bracknell Forest and these statistics reflect that dedication."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council