Bid to break drugs cycle

The Buttershaw-based Ripple Project, which already runs a referral scheme where arrested people are given help with drug addiction, is to expand with the launch of a Prison Liaison Scheme called Past the Gate.

This new aftercare and treatment system for those leaving prison is part of Crackdown in Bradford - A Community Against Drugs and will involve three prisons - Armley in Leeds, New Hall in Wakefield and Everthorpe near Hull.

It also sees the appointment of a Prison Liaison Link Worker, Danny Glew, who will meet inmates at the prison gates as they are released and take them to their first appointment in a bid to prevent them returning to a life of drugs and crime.

Ripple director Yvonne Oliver said the aim was to provide a prison aftercare service which will lead prisoners into rehabilitation and daycare programmes to stop them re-offending and help them make positive changes to their lifestyle.

When offenders with a drug problem from the Bradford area arrive at jail they will be seen by doctors and prison-based drugs workers. They will then be offered an appointment with Mr Glew so he can set up a treatment programme for when they are released.

"I hope to reach people four weeks before they are released so a relationship can be formed and a full assessment can be done to see what their needs are," said Mr Glew. "We're trying to offer them treatment as soon as they are back in the community."

Mr Glew said drug addicts leaving prison were also at risk of overdosing. "Hopefully we can reduce drug-related deaths as well as crime by getting offenders into treatment programmes."

Detective Sergeant Colin Stansbie, Bradford Area Drug Co-ordinator, said: "Getting people past the prison gates and into treatment is the first step towards a crime-free and healthy lifestyle. If we can break the circle of addiction then we can make significant reductions in crime and particularly drug-related offences."