Off The Wall Issue 17

8/6/2019 Off The Wall Issue 17

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OffTheWallNo.17Spring2010

in this issue...B h M / B k w / sp c 2 B k C bDhi F g c b / M bb w... / D hP b m p g / M g Dhi / u m


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Julian houseManvers Street: 01225 354650D C : O ers tea and co ee/General advice/cooked meal 11.00until 11.45. Mon-Fri: 9.30 until 12.30. Sat: 9.30 until 1.00. Sunday closedn g s : Open every night 8pm-8.30pmo f w s : 15-bed spaces at no charge. Open 10.30pm-7.30am.No booking required, rst come, rst served basis, deadline: 12.00am.

GenesisLunch Box, St Michaels Church (Opposite Waitrose)Mon-Wed: 12.30 until 1.30, Egg, bacon and sandwiches, tea andco ee (50p - 1). General advice.

sunDay Centre GenesisSunday: 1pm 5pm. Every Sunday o the year based at NexusMethodist Church, Nelson Place East, London Road. Low cost dinner,warm and riendly environment. Tea, co ee and cakes. Sundaypapers and games available.

the souP runThe Soup Run is open at 7pm seven days a week, 365 days a year inthe Old Cattle Market, o Walcot Street, in the centre o Bath, providingree co ee, soup and sandwiches. Each night o the week is run by ateam rom a di erent church. People use the Soup Run or a variety o reasons, because they are homeless they dont have a place to cookor their bene ts have ran out. The soup run o ers support, a point o contact and a social meeting place.

liFeline CentreThe Forum Building (Corn Street entrance). 01225 329263 Mon-Fri:2pm-4pm. Support and advice on all issues (including homelessness,substance misuse). A sa e place to rest up. Tea and co ee available

Dhi g c c c d gcc c g m, c mp m p , c c p c d c mp w cc .

D d n g s pp s c

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G c ! o t W M g z 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE t 01225 329411 em o [email protected]

P Midge Ure o t W ed t m Feature writers: Sean Kehoe, Steve Wood, Jim Timoney, Justin Yatesand Rachel England. Jokes & Window on the web: Steve; Books & Poetry editor: Jim; Recipes: Justin & RachelC b Rebecca Bex Meaden, Sally, Jody Clark, Andy Evans, Andy Suter, Hannah Weisberg-Meddick, Elizabeth Gri n, Mickad g s Sean Kehoe (o [email protected])Copyright 2008 Drugs and Homeless Initiative. All rights reserved.

o b k ! 4

n w d p 5

W d k ? 6

l c p! 8

D h 9M p d 10

P b m p g 12

r bb , r bb , r bb 13

Dhi b k c b 14

F g c b 16s 17

J k d P m 18

s.t.a.r.t 19

W o Dhi 20

s c u C 22u 23

n : t s mm iHepatitus C eature, more interviews, reviews and in ormation.

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o t W No.17, Spring 2010

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W d w d d b k c b ? We started about 2 years ago at Space 2 onNew King Street. It was a small project but

we were aware that it had lots of potential.It is part of the Meaningful Occupationgroup which is part of Julian House,

working with vulnerable adults. We haverecently moved to larger premises at 35Corn Street. At New King Street we wereliterally building and repairing bikes in thekitchen of Space 2 with no room to throw aspanner now we have a lot more room andeverything is much more accessible.

W d d m p ? We are open Mondays 1-6pm andFridays 9-3pm. Previously it was justFridays but we have recently extendedthis and we are looking to increase thehours in the near future.

h w d p p g d d w w d c m ?

Anyone in service or ex service users cancome along. People are often referred by an agency or hear about us from word of mouth. When people arrive we simply

register basic details and off you go. It is a very friendly, fun atmosphere and the people who do come along really seem to enjoy it.

h w d d?Good question - JulianHouse fund us at themoment and have fromthe start. However we dohave some good plansand are hoping to makesome changes in the nearfuture to help us becomeself funding.

W d g b k m?

Various sources. They aremainly donated from the

very kind public and fromthe police. The Police have many bikes inthe lost and found. The police hold thesefor approximately 6 weeks to see if they are reclaimed if not they can be claimed

by the nder. If the nder does not contactthe police they are given to the projectand we gratefully receive them. We are of course always looking for more though.

D g g d q b k /W q ?

Yes we do get some really good ones.Lost and found bikes often have very little wrong with them. We also get bikes thathave been left chained to railings in the

city centre for a long time and some of these may only have a buckled wheel butthe owner may have thought thats it andnever come back for it. We do get some

very old ones donated and although thesemay be dif cult to build back to a fully working bike we nearly always manage touse something for parts and spares.

h w d w p b k w k?It used to be that someone could simply come down and choose a frame, work on it for a bit and it was theirs to take

away. This has changed a little now. We are now called Julian House BikeRecycle Workshop and we encouragepeople to come in and help to work on

bikes for the project and in return they will get their own bike to work on and itis theirs at the end.

D g m p p c m g gd k g m p p ?

We get about 10-12 people sometimes

other times it may only be 2 or 3 but arealways happy to have more. We have acouple of die-hards, Chris Nash and Andy Evans who come along every session andare very knowledgeable and always onhand to help people.

a k c c ?No, not as much as I would like to be orshould be. I have a bike at home but havenot used it for six months. I am just gladto be helping the community and gettingpeople involved. I am hoping to do acycle ride in May/June though and any participants are welcome and bikes can beprovided. Come down to 35 Corn Street tond out more or just come down anyway.

o b k ...s K interviews Andy Suter about Space2s Bike Club


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5o t W No.17, Spring 2010

r d up

Elizabeth quali ed as a massagearomatherapist and re exologistin 2000 and has achieved someremarkable results whilst working withaddictions, epilepsy, skin complaints andchest conditions. Elizabeth wholeheartedly supports the use of aromatherapy massageand re exology for their therapeutic valueas touch therapies and their ef cacy of returning the body to a state of balance often within a quite short space of time.

M gMassage is a hands-on therapeutic treatmentthat works on the soft tissue of the body,using a variety of movements. Massage canimprove blood and lymph circulation andrestore the ow of energy through the body.It is used for relaxation or stimulation, relief of stress, tension and pain, and to bring

about a general sense of well-being. It canalso have an emotional effect, enablingpeople to laugh, cry or talk openly about how

they are feeling.

a m pyThe main difference between Aromatherapy and Massage is the amount of pressureused and the inclusion of different essentialoils and the parts of the body they work on. Aromatherapy essential oil is the extractedessence of the plants/ ower/tree. Physically it is primarily eliminative strengthening the bodys immune system. Psychologically it isdeeply calming, balancing and revitalising.

r f x gyRe exology massage works on the feetand sometimes treatments are given to thehands. It is based on the principle that each

area of the feet and hands corresponds to adifferent part of the body. Pressure appliedto these areas stimulates energy ow aroundthe body encouraging the bodys ability toheal itself. It stimulates the nervous systemallowing proper functioning to take place.Blood circulation is improved and all othersystems of the body regulated.

Aromatherapy and Re exology can be used effectively on their own or in conjunctionwith orthodox medicine. They can be just once but bene ts are best felt with regularuse. Massage sessions are now availableat DHIs of ces in Monmouth Street onTuesday mornings. If you would like to book please speak with your key worker.

It was perfect weather conditions forour team of Golden Bond runners this year as they took part in the Bath Half Marathon event. Team DHI performed

amazingly well. They all did themselvesand us proud as they endured the physicalstress of the 13.1 miles, two lap race around both sides of the River Avon.

For the rst time, DHI joined theCharity Marquee in the runners villageof the event. There was an incredibleatmosphere with the high spirits, energy and enthusiasm of the runners. Our team was made up of Drugs and HomelessInitiative friends, clients and staff fromSouth Gloucestershire and Bath. All of the

runners have committed their timeto training and seeking sponsorshipto raise much needed funds for various specialist services to support our

innovative work.DHI would like to say an enormous

well done and special thank you to ourrunners for taking part in the Bath Half Marathon!

We are inviting runners to accept theopportunity to participate in the Bristol Half Marathon on Sunday 5 September 2010.

Runners can be clients, friends,family - anybody who would like to takeup the challenge and raise funds for thedevelopment of our services.

DHI will cover the 35 entry cost for any

clients who wish to run. We just ask that you commit to raise sponsorship money and in return you will receive:1. A free DHI running t-shirt or vest2. Events pre & post the race in theRunners Village3. A tremendous achievement!

For an information pack or to reservea place, please contact HannahWeisberg on 01225 329411 or email [email protected]

B h MSunday 7 March 2010

M g DhiWith Elizabeth Gri n (ITEC quali ed)


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20 Q

W d k ?o t W speaks to Jody Clark, DHI employee, wannabeootballer and curry lover...

otW: h w d w d d g p c d w d d w g p w k

f p c ? JC: I was working at the Big Issue in Bristolas a Project Manager and about 90% of the vendors injected drugs. I found the sub-culture that existed around IV drug use andhomelessness fascinating and saw up-closethe harms caused by the act of injecting andthe need to offer support to people currently using drugs. At the time the Big Issue waslooking to go in a different direction so when the role of Proactive Outreach Workercame up at DHI I jumped at it.

A big part of the interest in this eldis the challenging of the stereotypes andstigma that still exist for people whouse drugs. All too often individuals areostracised and demonised because of their behaviours and set apart from mainstreamsociety which just seems to compoundthe issues and create barriers for peoplelooking to make changes.

otW: W d f d m w d gb j b?

JC: I think that would be the moment whenclients decide that they dont need to accessour services anymore and just want tomove on with their life. Its always nice to work with people who have achieved theirgoals and are now glad to see the back of us.

otW: W d f d m d fc b j b?

JC: Two things spring to mind immediately.Firstly it is the untimely accidental deathsof clients that could have been avoided.Drug use has its risks and when peoplesuccumb to the ultimate one it sucks.

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Due to this I am really proud that DHI hasmanaged to get a Naloxone service up andrunning in South Glos and hopefully willduplicate this in other areas too.

The other is the fact that working inthe voluntary sector means that we aredependent on funding and are at therisk of losing good members of staff andservices when political winds changedirection and money is diverted elsewhere(or cut altogether).

otW: i z mb p c pw p w d k

? JC: I would ensure that I was in the rst wave of people to become zombies givingme time to establish myself at the top of thezombie hierarchy (Zombie Emperor, KingZombie, Im not too caught up on the actual job title) and then lead the ensuing conquestof the human race.

otW: W c d g ? JC: I have never been careerist by nature.I have been fortunate to have had theopportunities within DHI that havecome my way and have enjoyed them allthoroughly, rst as A Proactive Outreach Worker in South Glos and then Team Leaderin Swindon for the direct access services.My current role as Acting Ops Manager iscoming to an end and I am off to be Harm

Reduction Coordinator in SouthGlos so we shall just have to see where that takes us.

As for my life goals I tend to just take it as it comes and deal with it when I have to, much to theannoyance of family and friends.

otW: W b k, f m,b m d p d?

JC: My favourite book has to be JosephHellers Catch-22 and lm would be DrStrangelove, both I guess showing my lessthan favourable attitude towards war. Itsa bit unfair of OTW to limit me to just onealbum so Ill pretend to have misread thequestion and give you several; Energy by Operation Ivy, Real Gone by Tom Waits andAchtung Bono by Half Man Half Biscuit. As for food I am a simple man so a cheesesandwich and a pack of hula hoops (original).

otW: i w w d d c b p c g ?

JC: Curry, pub, gig, friends, laugh, taxi, bed.Only needed 7 words (15 including these ones).

otW: i w PM w w w d d c c g ? JC: I would repeal all laws that impinge onthe freedom of individuals (so most of them) and ensure that all remaining lawsput people before pro t. I would do away

with the prison systemfor all but those who posea threat to other people(murderers, rapists, etc).To be honest I dont think I would last long as Ideither get assassinated

by agents of the World Bank/IMF/Daily Mail or inevitably be caught out rinsing theexpenses system in such a cavalier fashionthat I would be booted out before the end of the rst week.

otW: W w d b p c d p g ?

JC: Noam Chomsky, David Lynch, Steve Aylett, Steve Ignorant, Cheryl Cole, WayneBridge and John Terry.

otW: W w c d dp d w c

f d? JC: I wanted to play football for eitherBristol City or Man Utd or be an astronaut/reman/inventor. I have not achieved any of this so thank you OTW for remindingme. What I do have though is a little boy,Cameron, who more than makes up for it.



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H annahs letter vows to quitthe drug and lists the evilsassociated with heroin as shefaced up to her addiction before

she died aged 17 in October last year.The letter details how ashamed she feltat taking money from relatives to feedher habit and how determined she was to

beat her addiction - poignantly describinghow lucky she had been not to die. Herparents have now released the letter inthe hope of inspiring other teenagers toresist drugs. Her mother Louise Meredithsaid she was so proud of the letter andI was so proud of her for writing it I

just hope it can help someone else now.Her parents have now set up The HannahMeredith Foundation in her home townof Llanelli, to provide practical supportin a town that saw heroin related deathsincrease from 3 to 13 a year between2006 and 2008.

Dear Heroin

I never want to touch you ever again. Youve ruined my life, made me stealfrom my family, on probation cause of

you. Why I choose you I dont know? Youre the worst thing that ever came

into my life. Yes, I did love you but now its time to say goodbye.

Im so ashamed of myself cause of you. I ODd three times, youre a big risk to anyone that does it and to me.

So Im going to be strong and stay away from you and never touch you again.

My family have supported me all the way but I just kick them up the backside

taking advantage of them. Stoleoff my mother, granddad, mamI borrowed money off her anddidnt give it back. Shes gettingold now, and look what youvemade me do, my nan - 120stolen off her, once again causeof you.

I love my family from the bottom of my heart, its not nice being called a junkie. It feelshorrible, you feel so small. WellI feel small, you made me feellike Im worth nothing, just adirty junkie sticking needles in my arms.

Youre out of my life now, dont need you no more. Yeah, youve messed upnearly two and a half years of my life butIve still got my whole life ahead of meand Im going to prove to everyone that Ican stay away from you, going to college,getting a job and a car.

Then get on with my life and get my familys trust back. Stop offending, thatsthe only reason I was doing all that causeof your dirty addiction. You make me sick to be honest with you.

I did love the buzz of you but yourenot worth it.

But not anymore, Ill make sure youstay away from me, and Ill stay away from you.

I was brought up by a good family nota bad one, yeah Ive had a lot of problemsin my life, been quite bad actually, all

because of you!! Youre a killer, youve killed a lot of

people and really they are good people.Im lucky that you havent put me in a

box cemetery.Lost loads of my mates and it hurts

me, they sometimes blank me cause they know Ive been on you its not nice whenIve got pin holes in my arms and marks,track marks.

The illness that I go through when I

use you and the after effects, cold turkey,clucking, withdrawals, its the worstfeeling that youve put me through, being

bad off you. Wanted to kill myself a few times

cause I couldnt go through it. Well guess what heroin, I can and did do it. I can beat you anytime. I can control you, youdont control me.

Ive got enough will power to get youout of my life for good. Im strong andmuch stronger than you can ever be. Imnot losing anything over you.

Goodbye heroin. Never again. Family comes rst.

Hannah Meredith

D h ...This is the letter written by heroin addicth M d just three weeksbe ore she died rom an overdose.


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C : M p d

When the team at DHI wereputting together this issue of Off The Wall we decided our coverfeature would be about a little

known party drug called Mephedrone. Littledid we know that over the coming weeksit would become the hottest subject beingdiscussed in the news and parliament withspeculations (largely uncon rmed) aroundits contribution to the deaths of several youngpeople. The Government moved quickly to ban mephedrone making it a Class B drug but will this stop people using it and if it does willanother similar drug simply take its place - Isthe party over?

So what is Mephedrone:- Also knownchemically as 4-methylmethcathinone(4-MMC) or 4-methylephedrone, it is a syntheticstimulant and entactogen drug of theamphetamine and cathinone groups. Until just a few weeks ago it was a legal high basedon the cathinone compounds found in theKhat plant of Eastern Africa and comes in theform of capsules, tablets and most usually

powder which is normally swallowed inbombs or snorted.

By the end of 2009 it is thought thatMephedrone had become the fourth mostpopular street drug after Marijuana, Cocaineand Ecstasy. Throughout 2009 the drug wassold openly at music festivals, head shops andon a massive scale on the internet as plantfood. The reasons for the rapid growth isthought by some to be due to the availability and legality of the drug while others put itdown to poor quality cocaine and ecstasy. About half of all ecstasy pills seized in 2009contained no MDMA and Cocaine purity wasdown by 22 per cent.

The effects of Mephedrone have beencompared to a cross between Cocaine

and MDMA and include mental andphysical stimulation, feelings of opennessand empathy, increased sociability andtalkativeness, a pleasurable rush, decreasedappetite, pupil dilation, unusual body sensations, increased heart rate and sweating.

Users have reported comments such as

A very nice substance for me overall. My elocution was remarkably enhanced,communicative centers were gaping wide, very comfortable and relaxed stimulation,empathy was signi cant (even though themagic has long since departed my MDMA

experiences). Comedown was not painful, just so swift it left a vacuum in its wake. Ioverindulged in MDMA when I was rstintroduced to it, and now I may as well havethree caffeine drinks as take a pill. Thissubstance feels (for me) like its effects could be similarly degraded with over-use. Ill beabstaining as much as my will permits.

Compared to MDMA, similar euphoria(when bombed [swallowed]), far morehornyness, a bit less empathy, no psychadelia(although light tends to prism after severalredoses, I think this is just a serotonin effect)- but what was amazing is that the next day,I felt brilliant, like I hadnt done anythingthe previous night. I would also compare it

to speed and coke a little in its stimulatingeffects, which were far more than MDMA on its own. [...] The euphoria was absolutely crazy. I looked in the mirror, my eyes weresaucers. I felt giddy from how amazing I felt.Stroking my arm was like having an orgasm.It was about as mindblowing as my rst e.

[M]ephedrone really disappointed me. Theinitial come-up rush led me on to thinkingI had stumbled upon something very special - then it dropped off. [...] It seemsthat few reports from Erowid and afar havementioned a lack of euphoria, so it justgoes to show that chemicals affect peopleuniquely. [...] At no point was I compelled totake more mephedrone, despite its reputationof being moreish.

Mephedrone Is a nice drug, the euphoriaI experienced was extremely pleasurableand from what I remember I had a greattime. Mixing Mephedrone with alcohol wasa very bad idea I experienced a great deal of

memory loss and this is not something thatusually happens to me and the nausea of today is unbearable.

There has been very little research into theside effects of the drug although some usershave particularly mentioned nose bleeds and burns, nausea, anxiety, paranoia, skin rashesand itchiness, insomnia, heart palpitationsand impaired short term memory.

i g d gOn 30 March 2010, Alan Johnson announcedthat mephedrone would be made illegalwithin weeks and came into effect 17th April after the Advisory Council on theMisuse of Drugs (ACMD) sent him a report

i p ?s K and the O The Wall team investigate the latest legalhigh to be made illegal, the previously little known M-Cat


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i d g b c y?Yes. Mephedrone is cheap & readilyavailable on the internet & in someheadshops & usually clearly marked NOTFOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION. There areplenti ul supplies o it locally. It is popularon the club scene & in rural areas hasalready quite a ollowing amongst userso stimulant drugs & ketamine. Because o the low cost many users are switching overto regular Mephedrone use. Most serviceusers seem to have some awareness o it &many have at least tried it. SU eedback onthe drugs e ect & their experience o it varyenormously.

i g ?At the time o going to press (16 April)Mephedrone has just been made an illegalclass B drug.

W ?Mephedrone is a power ul stimulant drug &has been likened in e ect to use o ecstasy,speed or cocaine. It usually comes as whitepowder, but is available as capsules or pills.The powder is usually snorted. No reliablein o as yet on IV use.

i y g d ?Users report a de nite eeling o comingup or o rushes as the drug starts to work.The main e ects seem to include eelingalert, a sense o calm, wellbeing, excitement,stimulation, chattiness & elevated mood.

n g e c :Mephedrone, i snorted, can damageexposed nasal skin, similar to use o cocaineor speed. This can lead to infammation,nose bleeds & localised pain. Common

reported side e ects include: loss o appetite,poor concentration, high body temp, racingheart, panic & sweating. The come downis said to be a very miserable experience.Feeling tired, drained & very low but unableto sleep. This state appears to last wellinto the next day. There have been severaldeaths reported in the media, wheremephedrone has been implicated. So ar theactual causes have not been determined.

l g- m c .Nobody really knows yet! This is still arelatively new drug. One worrying trait seemsthat although there is not yet any evidence to

suggest physical dependence. Many usersreport a very strong desire to continue usingthe drug. A craving sometimes likened to thato cocaine use. Psychological dependencecould there ore lead to problematic use.


on the use of cathinones. Prior to the ban being announced, Dr Polly Taylor,a member of the ACMD resigned,saying she did not have trust in the way the government would use theadvice given by the ACMD. Eric Carlin,another member of the ACMD, alsoresigned after the announcement thatmephedrone would be made illegal,saying that the decision by the Home

Secretary was unduly based on mediaand political pressure. He stated thatthere was little or no discussion abouthow our recommendation to classify thisdrug would be likely to impact on youngpeoples behaviour.

The medias coverage has angeredsome who work in the drugs eld Themisreporting of mephedrone deaths isa crass example of the potentially lethalalliance between press and politicians that by default ends in a ban that often creates

far greater harms than those caused by use said Danny Kushlick, of the drugscharity Transform. The most widely reported case before march and which

prompted the idea of this article was that of Gabrielle Price, a 14 year old girl who diedafter taking mephedrone in November.Toxicology reports have since shown thedeath was a cardiac arrest following broncho-pneumonia which resulted fromstreptococcalA infection

So what will be the effects of makingmephedrone illegal? Will it stop peoplemaking and supplying mephedrone orother similar drugs? Will it miraculously stop people using it. Will people no

longer want to get high at parties? Or will it simply put the drug into the handsof the usual drug dealers who will pushthe price up. Some ex-members of the

ACMD, and various charity groupshave expressed concern regardingthe banning of the drug, arguing it will inevitably criminalise users,particularly young people. Othershave expressed concern that thedrug will now be left in the handsof irresponsible dealers, who willonly compound the problem.

The ACMD has very publicly ran into

problems with the UK Governmentrecently regarding drug policy, many of these problems fuelled by the decision toprohibit Mephedrone and other relatedcathinones. Eric Carlins resignation wasspeci cally linked to the criminalisationof mephedrone, and he stated: We needto review our entire approach to drugs,dumping the idea that legally-sanctionedpunishments for drug users should constitutea main part of the armoury in helping tosolve our countrys drug problems. We need

to stop harming people who need help andsupport. Consequently, the Mephedronedebate has led to a general questioning of UK drugs policy.

M p d - some background in o.


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B c ... J y liked our rabbit recipe last issue somuch, he had a dinner party and gave the recipe hisown personal twist ... with memorable results.

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F d: r bb , r bb , r bb ...


i g d2 Rabbits (skinned & gutted)2 large carrots.2 medium parsnips1 medium swede/turnip2 medium onions4 cloves o garlic1 cup o rozen garden peas4 bay leavesA hand ul o resh rosemary2 tsp o dried mixed herbs2 tbsp four50ml oil75cl white wine (optional)Salt & reshly ground black pepper to taste.

M dPre-heat oven to 200c/400f/gas mark 6. Wash rabbits & pat dry with kitchen paper.Brush inside & out with the oil, stuff with theonions quartered, the garlic, the bay leaves& the rosemary. Place stuffed rabbits in alarge lidded casserole dish & roast with thelid on for 1 hour, 45mins, or until cooked. After roasting the rabbits allow to cool down& then remove as much of the meat fromthe bones as possible. Set aside the cookedonions with the meat. Place the rabbit bones,the remains off the garlic, rosemary & the bay leaves into a large saucepan & cover with1-2ltrs water. Place saucepan with the lid on,on the hob, bring to the boil & then simmerfor as long as possible. This is the going to bethe stock with which the casserole is made.Strain off stock & put to one side. Discard

bones & what remains. Place casserole dishon the hob, add the oil & let it get hot, throw in the onions that had previously been setaside & brown them off slightly, mix in theour making sure that it dissolves into theoil & that there are no lumps, add the wineif using & allow the alcohol content to becooked off. Add the rabbit meat, the carrots,parsnips & swede/turnip (cut in to 1 inchchunks) & the frozen peas, cover with thehome-made rabbit stock. Put in the driedmixed herbs, season with salt & pepper totaste. Give a good stir until everything is wellmixed together. Put in oven, with the lid off at the same temperature as before, for 1 &a half hours or until the liquid has reducedslightly and the top has lightly browned.

l Several weeks ago OTW were offered a brace of rabbits (not as pets but for eating) with the idea that we could write up anarticle about cooking them, continuing thetheme of cheap meal ideas. Being someone whos usually up for trying somethingnew especially if that something is free, I volunteered to be the one to take the rabbits& write the article. Returning home withthem I put them in the freezer & plannedin a few weeks time to invite a few friendsover to try the rabbit with me. At that time,having never before tried rabbit I wasgenuinely quite looking forward to tasting it.

Having never cooked rabbit before, Ilooked for recipes on the internet. As youcan imagine there were loads of meal ideasfor rabbit. The majority though seemedto contain quite expensive ingredients &therefore didnt t with the theme of cheap,either that or they contained alcohol, whichconsidering the nature of OTW I thoughtmight be inappropriate. Eventually Idecided that I would just make up my own

recipe, using cheap ingredients. Howevereven though the ingredients were cheaphaving to cook for a few others would bea strain on my limited nances, being on bene ts every penny is used in my weekly budget, or at least this is what I told myself in order to justify having to postpone therabbit meal for a few weeks because hadit been beef or lamb in the freezer I wouldhave easily found the money to cook it. I wasstarting to have a few qualms about eatingthe rabbits, which I told myself was stupid,as a meat eater why should I nd thisdif cult? I guess we have developed to be wary of eating the unknown, our ancestors would have realised probably the hard way that food from an unusual or untested

source could prove to be dangerous. I knew though where these rabbits had came from& that they were perfectly safe to eat & yet I was becoming increasingly uncomfortableabout eating them.

A few days ago, deciding to face my fears & because the deadline for work to besubmitted was looming, I took the rabbitsfrom the freezer & set off for the shops to buy the ingredients. Yesterday afternoonfeeling increasingly apprehensive, I cookedthem & last night with the support of a few friends I ate them.

The result delicious, very much likechicken (I know, thats what everyone says when theyre describing the way unusualmeat tastes!). In fact so much like chickenthat had I not known it was rabbit I wouldnever have guessed. Would I eat it again?,most de nitely, so much so that if rabbitcan be bought for less than chicken, it will become a regular addition to my normalshopping list.

I would certainly encourage anyone who gets the opportunity to buy & try rabbit,to do so. For anyone whos interested inhow I cooked the rabbit, here is my recipefor Thrifty Rabbit Casserole Serve it withcreamy mashed potatoes or a hefty chunk of crusty bread.


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14

B k w & w

Dhi B k c bDHI Book Club meets on the rst Monday o each month to discuss a book readduring the preceding month. In this section, J m t m aims to present a brie review o some recent Book Club titles, including his own opinions about them.


l This Book Club joint preference was fora biography of someone we admired andthe decision was to go for one on Gandhi,so the above, originally published in 1951 by Jonathan Cape Ltd, was chosen. Due to it being a somewhat weighty tome of over 600pages, plus the onset of Christmas, illnessand holidays, we spread the study of it overseveral months.

Such a lengthy book on such a serioussubject about such a long life could beconsidered quite heavy by some. I didntnd it so for the most part as it was obviously

written with the average reader in mind,rather than as a textbook. Furthermore, Ihad the advantage of having studied Gandhiand India, albeit many years ago for what

were then called GCEs, as well as having readfurther about the subject, seen the excellentlm and watched TV documentaries, all of

which gave me a good background from which to start.

The author, having met and spent time with Gandhi and some of his contemporaries,is a good source of knowledge about the man,the mahatma, his life, beliefs, works andachievements. Fischer rst takes us throughGandhis formative years, his training in law asa young man in England and his twenty yearspractising it in South Africa. Whilst there,he took up the cause of the poorly treated Asian immigrants, ghting the injustices they suffered with a great deal of success in the faceof seemingly insurmountable opposition.

On his return toIndia, he became amajor gure in thelong struggle towardsIndian independencefrom centuries of British rule. Over andabove this importantmatter, though, washis passion for non- violence, whatever theprovocation. Fischerdescribes Gandhislifelong dedicationto this underlyingprinciple, often backed up by his many fasts, sometimes almost to death. His

un agging spirit as he fought suchinjustices as the salt tax, the plight of theUntouchables and the violent Hindu/Moslem divide earned him the worshipof millions of his fellow Indians and therespect of many in the outside world.

Finally leading us to Indias independencesoon after World War Two, Fischer describesGandhis disappointment over the way in which his beloved India was partitioned intoIndia and a split Pakistan. The Father of hisCountry was dismayed by it, particularly by the large-scale eruption of violence betweenHindus and Moslems. Gandhi felt that theIndians had betrayed the code of non-violence which had always been more important tohim than anything else, even the ultimate

goal of independence.Fischer calls the outcome of Gandhis thirty-two yearsof struggle as an ingloriousend and a victory withtragedy..an army defeatingits own general.

The division of Indiaoccurred on religious lines between Hindu and Moslemregions, which were inreality impossible to de neadequately. The ensuing

violence, tantamount tocivil war, was, like so many

wars and con icts, ultimately all in the nameof God, whatever its other aspects. India

and Pakistan (the eastern part of the lattereventually became Bangladesh) are still atloggerheads sixty years later.

Gandhi chose not even to participate inthe independence celebrations of 15 August1947. He realised all too clearly that for somany years he had been adored by millionsas a Christ-like gure, a mahatma; his worshippers believed more in Gandhi thanin his principles.

In conclusion, I recommend this biography to anyone interested in the lifeof Gandhi and the story of Indias struggletowards independence. My only warning isto remember that it is rather long; I advisetaking it in small doses, as I did. Jim Timoney

Dhi BooK CluB: BooK oF the issue

t l o M m G d by l F c (Harper/Collins edition, 1997)


15/24

15C m g s !M g d m Dhi b k c b...

P wBelow are just a ew o the bookspreviously reviewed in this section.Readers might like to know that most o the books reviewed may be borrowedree by DHI Service Users rom theDHI computer/co ee room.

Brave neW WorlDby a d h (OTW16)

l A classic o twentieth centuryliterature, Huxleys uturisticdepiction o humankind still makes aascinating read.

i,Pierre seel, DePorteDhoMosexual by P s (OTW16)

l This harrowing account o agay mans treatment in a Naziconcentration camp and as a conscriptin the German army in World War 2is as bitter an indictment o Hitlersvicious regime as Ive ever read.

one FleW over the CuCKoos nest by K K (OTW15)

l Set in a psychiatric ward, the noveland DVD were reviewed together.Both gave a rank and insight ul lookinto the subject; opinions vary as towhich did it best.

aniMal FarMby G g o w (OTW13)

l Another classic o the twentiethcentury, whether read or un or on amore political level.

one shot by l C d (OTW15)

l A non-Book Club choice, I enjoyedthis crime novel enough to review it.

Childs main character, Jack Reacher,is a law unto himsel , being neithera private eye nor a police detective he is just Jack, a ormer militarypoliceman who takes on the bad guys.

F n g c l This other non-Book Club item is aninteresting account of thedeath of Dylan Thomas in

1953. It killed the myth Id believed for about forty years (along with virtually everyone else) thatDylan just drank himself to death.

Dylan Thomas was undoubtedly a very heavy drinker; the author does notset out to deny that. He does, however,conduct a thorough investigation into thecircumstances surrounding his death andthe doubts and cover-ups that have arisen

over the years. His conclusion is that thecircumstances and causes of Dylans death were far more complicated than those of an alcoholic who nally went over the top.This book describes how an exhaustinglecture tour of the States was taking itstoll on an already ill Dylan in the weeks before his death. The author believes thata combination of neglect and error wereresponsible and he examines closely theactions of the people involved and implicated.These actions include a delay in getting Dylanto hospital, wrongly administered morphineand the ignoring of pre-existing chestconditions (bronchitis and pneumonia).

I was surprised and shocked by theauthors ndings and conclusions. I studiedDylan Thomas as part of A level Englishmany years ago and came to love his way with words. There is no doubt he was anexcellent and skilful writer and poet; by all accounts he was also a brilliant andinteresting speaker.

Despite his reputation as a heavy drinker,for his death to have been attributed for

fty years solely to alcoholism was to do theman an injustice. I am glad to have comeacross this book which at last puts the recordstraight; I only hope that many more peopleread it. Jim Timoney

t Q al Having spent so long over theGandhi biography and lacking anotherBook Club choice, I have chosen thisfascinating book from the library. It

outlines the long-running case of a woman claiming to be the GrandDuchess Anastasia, the youngestdaughter of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia. The Romanov dynasty ended

with the Russian Revolution when theCommunists took over in 1917; Nicholas andhis family were executed the following year.

Just a few years later, the intriguing story of Anna Anderson began. The woman whosoon claimed to be Anastasia rst surfaced(literally!) when she was pulled from a canal

in Berlin following a suicide attempt. Shethen spent some time in a mental hospital while people tried to establish her identity.Several possibilities were investigated butnone proved conclusive; in time, she cameto be known as Anna Anderson.

Over the next sixty years, she gatheredmany supporters of her claim to be the GrandDuchess and was confronted by variouspeople who had known Anastasia or whoknew her background. None, however, couldeither prove or disprove Annas claim.

After her death in 1984, the controversy continued. In 1993, the bodies of the Romanov family were con rmed to have been discoveredin the Russian Urals. The following year, aDNA test proved that Anastasia was indeedkilled with the rest of her family in 1918.Despite some of her followers still clinging totheir belief in Annas claim and the fact that Anna almost certainly believed it herself, theGrand Duchess Anastasia was nally laid torest sixteen years ago.

I enjoyed this account of a story which haslong fascinated me. I had often heard about

it over the years and seen the popular lm of Anna/Anastasias life. This well-researched book lled in some of the gaps and helped meunderstand the whole history better. Jim Timoney

non BooK CluB revieWsF n g c /t Q F a by D d n. t m (Seren, 2008)/ J. K d h. M g (Smith Gryphon, 1995)


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16

F : F g C b


G b ck !Climbing, barges and boats.

Following client consultationthroughout January we are pleased to be able to announce that DHI has its very own shing club. Posters were

displayed for several weeks to try and gauge what demand there might be for a shingclub. Many service users expressed interestand so we were able to secure enough fundingto afford enough tackle for ve clients tosh at any one time. We also approachedthe Environment Agency for Rod Licences(a legal requirement for anyone freshwatershing) which they granted us free of charge.Bathampton Angling Association has alsoagreed to let us sh both the Kennet and Avon Canal and the River Avon free of charge.

For those of you who expressed interestduring consultation please drop into DHIand ask to speak to either Sam Blacker orSean Kehoe about when the next shing tripis taking place and we will do are best to get you along. If you didnt put your name downearlier but perhaps have a spark of interesthere are a few reasons why you might considercoming along and giving shing a try...l When you are shing time as you know it changes; everything slows down as you

notice things happening around you which you would ordinarily let pass you by. Littleclues about where sh might be feedingand how best to catch them are found inchanges in habitat and weather that only thesherman is tuned into. Many people ndthis to be a very relaxing experience, similarin many ways to meditation.l The successful sherman gets to come intocontact with creatures that many people havenever seen. How many non- shermen can say theyve seen a Roach, Perch, Pike or Barbell?Our waterways are a very bio-diverse habitat yet one which is quite hard to observe.l Reacting to subtle changes in season, weather and habitat and making alterationsto your tactics accordingly requires a certainamount of problem solving. It is very engagingtrying to solve these piscatorial problems.l Many people never nd the time or anexcuse to spend time outdoors. Angling is areally good way of taking the time to immerse yourself in your natural surroundings

The list goes on... We are lucky enough tolive in an area with some top quality shing venues so please make use of the DHI shingclub and get out there and catch some sh!

u k g fThe quick and easy method

by Andy Evans

l The use o barbless hooks makesthe task a lot easier as the sh can beunhooked much quicker and importantlycausing less damage to the sh. Whenunhooking, wet hands or a damp cloth tohold the sh is important as the mucus orslime the sh produces helps protect it.The use o a sh disgorger or sh hookedurther down the throat is the best toolto use and can be purchased at minimalcost. Fish hooked in the mouth can beremoved easily with orceps or maybe yourngers depending on competence. Whenthe hook has been removed, lower thesh gently into the water and let it recover.The sh will then swim away unharmed.Never throw a sh back as this can stun orkill the sh. I a sh has a hook that is veryawkward to retrieve cut the line as closeto the hook as possible. The hook will rustaway a ter a week or so and no lastingharm will be done.


17/24

Growing up today meantsacri ce, needs what they wereone day were no longer trueanother. Although they were

met by my parents, I thought they wereunreasonable and that I could do better.

Basic needs water, food, comfort of clothing, hygiene and love. All provided

by my parents. The rules were simple,respect and care about each other wouldmean we would have a happy home.

Apparently I had other ideas.NO CONSIDERATION.Sick children lost to illness, heads sad

and lonely, in pain, tummies full with worms and African children lost in death while we struggled and argued that I hadto be home by 9 oclock.

What a pathetic mixed up world. Band Aid the extra, Oxfam the images, theanger that I felt at the grown ups for beingresponsible for all this suffering and theteachers all moaned if we wore the wrong

coloured top. Did they not know thatTHERE WAS SUFFERING, children weredying and we had school.

The hypercritical world of hateand war, The Falkland Con ict in the1980s, the anger of the miners strikes- the closures and of the railways facingprivatisation.

How can we lift our heads and beproud to be human.

I drank and smoked, I abused myself for the hell of it. My life was no moreimportant than these that are sufferingand we are supposed to be civilised and

with human kindness, I lost faith.Hot and angry, I spent my days

cursing my parents embarrassed anger

and misery. I left home only to returnpregnant. Left only to come home witha 9 month old baby and pregnant.

I felt shame.But still the media played the pain

and hurt campaigns to save. I waslost inside my own anger, my ownself loathing to nd any strength tocare for others.

Playing games, life is a game. Ispell my name Sally Ann it is littleprincess grace in Hebrew. How gracefully we weave our webs, how we take ourneeds and devour our families and their

beliefs and blame them to satisfy our ownneeds to feel ok. And blame god or society instead of taking our time to heal.

So again I leave home and try again tolive my dream in a place full of others tryingto forget their hurt and pain. All I want todo is party, to get stoned and have fun.

But meanwhile I have children whohave needs.

Providing a home and safety for them,Eddy and Maryanne.

I had a caravan. Winter and found Ihad made it; I was actually there in a placethat was ok. I had friends support..thecaravan burnt down, I discovered I had nofriend in Sally. I tore down all help offered,I ran with the crew that gave me drugs, Isold drugs, begged on streets for money tosupport my need for heroin.

Providing a home and safety for them,Eddy and Maryanne.

I failed.My parents loved my children, they

loved them enough to step in and say noSally you will not ruin their lives, they have needs, we have needs for them, we

respect them as human beings.Backwards my name spells YLLAS

which said quickly spells Y lass as in Yorkshire where my grandma lived where we would spend a week each year whereI was happy she would say to me I cantremember only she loved me.

Looking at my like backwards itreally does appear to have been one drugparty. Needs I thought I had to have to besomeone to be ok. To cover up the fact I am

a hypocrite when I need something I turn tomy parents. I need their love I have earnedtheir respect back and it makes me so proudto understand that they never did not loveme, it was me, I never loved myself.

What happened to my environment were crack, smack, cannabis, ecstasy pills and alcohol, speed all mixed up inchemical compound that was my life, allfeeling, all expression condensed intonothing, barely existence.

From the age of 9 years old when Ismoked my rst cigarette in the need to grow up and be adult I have broken everything Ihold dear. My heart, my love, my honour,my self worth, my peace, my gratitude, my life just so I can get that next high.

i d k & m k d, i b dmy Ex-service user s tells us her story...

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F : C



18/24

how many dyslexics does it take to change a

liggetty bub?

18

J k d P m


u dby Anon

You grow up with ringing in your ears,

Perhaps a buddhist monasteryLooking at what I see,

New to earth a place to discoverDrinking alcohol, mainly brandy and beer,

What is this drink I am not allowed it makes my mumand dad laugh out loud

Huge amount o Dunhills cigarettes in a ruby red packet,They smell but they are so attractive the boxes are like gold

Sticks o brown and white,Everyone has them why should not I

Riding my bike onto a eld to spark the matches,I am alone I am grown

Care ully striking the match sucking and inhalingthe smoke,

This is what I have to do no one will see or knowLetting it go,It is too late I have done it I see the haze it takes me I

am caughtThis is how it is to be grown up,

How can it be so miss understood

Patient to doctor:Every morning I feel

like a teepee and in theafternoons I fell like

a wigwam...Doctor: Im afraidyoure too tense.

Bono (on Stage):Every time I click my fngers,

a child in A rica dies.Heckler: Well, stop clicking your

bloody fngers then!

Why does it take three women with PMT to change a lightbulB?

It just does bloody

does alright!

Neighbour 1: The police came past yesterday to say your

dog was chasing a bloke on a bike...Neighbour 2: Thats not my dog ,

he hasnt got a bike.

t k c d b ? a c b ...o t W M g z15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE

t 01225 329411em o [email protected]


19/24

M y name is Mick. Lets put youin the picture of where I camefrom and where I am today.I have gone from spending

most of my life and thats a bloody longtime a chronic alcoholic whose mostimportant part of the day was a visit tothe off license, to a valued commodity inand around my home here in Bath. Thesethings and changes in my life did notcome totally by accident, more by roadsI chose to accept. I came to Bath after ave month spell in a treatment centre andthank god landed at the doors of DHI. Iknew that if I wanted continued worth of myself and others I had to make an effort.It was not easy and sometimes is still not.

A fteen month spell in a dry housefollowed, which brought up trials andtribulations a plenty. I also undertook treatment for HEP/C INTERFERON which tried its best to cripple me - andit nearly did. I could no longer do the

sporting things I loved the most andeven shopping was too much some days.Luckily through DHI and people I metthrough DHI and some very special friendsthey know who they are I recovered froma brief yet major relapse. My outlook onlife had to change yet again.

I started to value myself in otherpeoples eyes and more importantly, my own. I also needed a spark to ignite whatI had to offer. It came through friendsideas and sport. Steve Brindle, who I haveknown now for 3 years, had been nurturingan idea for most of that time had startedgetting responses from the community.Remembering I had watched him, hisstruggles and his bloody persistence trying

to change the life for others,I could see effort wasneeded to change - realeffort - real belief. Thisenterprise he has calledSTART. It is to helpthe vulnerable, theshunned, the people

with addictions and without, to learn toengage in worthwhileoccupations doing daily activities, learning socialskills and enjoying stuff they may never have had thechance to do before.

I wanted to help and through hispushing of me have become Chairmanof his new enterprise. I assist himtaking golf, sometime lling in whenhe cant make it or just helping whengroups become too big for one person.I also play for the football team locally

and am looking forward to playingfor a future side that will be nancedthrough START. Making these effortshas helped me get up and do stuff. Inow do voluntary work twice a week along with golf, football and AA meetings. Life is good today - Stevesdream inspired me and you willprobably hear the name START soon.I am growing with it but it will outgrow and out live me but that can only be good for our society. Its never toolate to START.

I you want to get involved in START,contact s B d on 0790 161 2451or [email protected]

s p t mw k a dr c t g Youre never to old to START...

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F : start


s t a r t s p o t e m w o k a n d r e c e i o n l

t i n i n g


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20

W o : Dhi B & ne s m


B & ne s m s c

MonDay 10.00 - 2.00pm a d C G p 2.30 - 4.00pm ab c G p3.00 - 5.00pm h g D p-5.30 - 6.30pm B k C b (1st Monday o each month)6.45 - 8.00pm F b

tuesDay 10.00 - 12.00pm W m G p 12.00 - 2.00pm o t W M g z (Hay Hill Church)12.30 - 2.00pm a C c C g2.30 - 6.30pm P C g

WeDnesDay 12.00 - 2.00pm G d g G p2.00 - 4.00pm t p c W k p

thursDay 12.30 - 2.00pm a C c C g2.00 - 10.00pm P t p

2.30 - 4.00pm P C g6.00 - 7.00pm r p P s pp G p

FriDay 12.30 - 2.00pm B ag t q z2.30 - 4.00pm ab c G p5.00 - 6.00pm B d a c ac p c

saturDay Gardening Group

a ChanCe to ChanGeWhat Pleasures Does Your Drug Use Bring You?What Di culties Does It Take Away ?What Problems Does It Add To Your Li e?What Good Things Does It Take Away?l This group aims to assist people to make their own choicesabout what,i anything, they wish to change about their substance use.l This is a rolling group which takes new clients on a weeklybasis.

Positive ChanGesHow Can I Manage Cravings?How Can I Manage Tempting Thoughts?How Can I Develop My Con denceAnd Coping Skills?What Might Get In The Way?What Else Might Help You Achieve This?How Will I Keep This Going?l This o ers clients the opportunity to develop and managetheir plans or change, overcoming obstacles and developingcommitment.l This group takes new clients every six weeks.

aBstinenCeWhat Is The Next Step?How Can I Increase Importance Without Adding Stress?How Can I Build A Li estyle To SupportMy Recovery?What Are My Triggers And How Can I Manage These?How Can I Prevent Lapses Becoming Relapses?l This group aims to support people who have identi edabstinence as a goal. This group takes new clients every sixweeks.

WorKshoPs @ DhiSeries O Three Sessions FocusingOn Topics That Interact With Changes Around Substance Use.

t p c a : Becoming Assertive;Improving Sel -esteem; Managing Emotions; Managing Stress

WoMens GrouPDrop - In Womens Support Group

relaPse Prevention suPPort GrouPDrop In Talking Support Group For Abstinent Clients.

BrieF 1-1 CounsellinGAn Opportunity To Explore Drug Or Alcohol Use 1-1 With ACounsellor, Either To Help You Arrive At Your Decision Or ToMaintain Progress.l This service is available most days and some Evenings.


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W o : Dhi sw d & s G .


s G . s c

t w r d n , Warmley

MonDay 10.00 - 1.00pm a C11.30 - 12.30pm ac p c1.00 - 2.30pm op G p6.30 - 7.30pm P s pp G p

7.30 - 8.30pm ac p c tuesDay 1.00 - 2.30pm a c C6.00 - 7.30pm G p t7.30 - 8.30pm ac p c

WeDnesDay 11.30 - 12.00pm ac p c12.30 - 1.00pm C l c (p d d)1.00 - 2.30pm i ac G p3.00 - 4.00pm C ac

thursDay 10.00 - 12.00pm h g C c1.00 - 2.00pm CJit a c imp c P g mm (aiP)7.00 - 8.30pm F m G p

FriDay 10.00 - 11.30am h m r d c C c11.30 - 12.30pm ac p c1.00 - 2.00pm M d2pm h l c C b2.30 - 4.00pm s m G p

t B g w , Yate (pictured, right)

MonDay 1.00 - 5.00pm t g C D p-

tuesDay 11.30 - 12.30pm ac p c1.00 - 2.00pm op G p7.00 - 8.30pm F m G p

WeDnesDay 11.30 - 12.30pm ac p c1.00 - 2.00pm W m G p

thursDay 1.30 - 2.30pm C l c (p d d)

3.00 - 4.30pm i ac G p5.00 - 6.00pm ac p c6.00 - 7.15pm r p P G p

FriDay 11.00 - 12.30pm a c C

sw d s c

MonDay 10.00 - 2.00pm 1:1 s11.00 - 2.00pm D p-11.00 - 2.00pm t g11.30 - 1.00pm s m G p

tuesDay

10.00 - 2.00pm 1:1 s11.00 - 2.00pm D p-11.00 - 2.00pm t g11.30 - 1.00pm t g i ac

WeDnesDay 10.00 - 2.00pm 1:1 s11.00 - 2.00pm D p-11.00 - 2.00pm t g11.30 - 1.00pm r p P

thursDay 10.00 - 2.00pm 1:1 s (women only)

11.00 - 2.00pm D p- (women only)11.00 - 2.00pm t g (women only)

FriDay 10.00 - 2.00pm 1:1 s11.00 - 2.00pm D p-11.00 - 2.00pm t g

1:1 Sessions - Other appointments outside o these times areavailable to you at a place o your convenience.Triage - An initial assessment can be completed over the phoneMonday - Friday 9.00am - 5pm. Call us on 0800 970 4830.This number is ree rom call boxes and landlines.

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Dhi s c uC o r g

As a DHI service user you have the right to...

a d d m d . Some DHIservices have to run a waiting list as a result of the largenumbers of referrals we receive. We will endeavour to

keep waiting times to a minimum.a d d C P . This will clearly specify the targets you wish to achieve while working with the DHI. You will be

fully involved in the writing and reviewing of the Care Plan

i m . You will be informed of service options,and will be fully involved in making decisions about

the service you receive.r p c p c , d g d c fd .

In exceptional circumstances information may be divulgedto others. If this is the case, you will receive a full explanation

and wherever possible we will seek your permission.ad c c . Your DHI key worker will provide this. If this

is not possible or appropriate, we will refer you to anappropriate source of advocacy.

C mp . The complaints procedure is available to allDHI clients. If you need help with your complaint, we will

ensure that this is given to you.i m b - p g p d d g

d c c g p . We will provide you with informationabout groups in the area. We will also make any

appropriate referrals on your behalf.

l DHI listens to its Service Users

to ensure they experience the bestpossible service during treatment.To help us do this we needfeedback from you on all aspectsof our work including how you have think you have beentreated and what you think aboutactivities and services on offer.Feed back can be given in many forms for example compliments,complaints, suggestions andthere is a range of ways in whichservice users can be involved,express their views and givemeaningful feedback to help usimprove their experience of DHIand our services:

s c u F m This is aService User led forum that meetsfour times a year to discuss any issues or concerns and agreeaction they would like to see takenF c G p From time to time where there are speci c areas wemight need more detailed feed back on we might call one off meetings to obtain your viewsW b We have recently hadour website completely revisedand updated. We have a sectionfor Feedback and ask you to usethis section for any thoughts orsuggestions you may have aboutthe service you are receiving atDHI. We would also appreciate your thoughts on our new website

in terms of design, layout anduser friendliness. www.dhi-online.org.uk s gg B x - We have twosuggestions boxes situated onthe wall outside reception andin the computer/coffee room.This is a popular and whererequired anonymous way forservice users to compliment,suggest or comment. Boxes arechecked daily and a responseis posted on the notice board

within 5 days.C mm B k Similar to thesuggestions box, there are twocomments books situated outside

reception and in the computer/

coffee room. Again these can be used anonymously and arechecked daily and a response isgiven within 5 days.n c B d There is also anotice board in the internet area where you can post your viewsand where we will display all feed back with responses given.s y DHI uses surveys as amethod of obtaining feed back about its services which area mixture of service speci cquestionnaires and exit surveysused when service users leave ourservices. Sometimes we do this ino Staff are alwayshappy to receive your commentsand compliments at meetings with them, this is particularly important at the point you view your careplan with us. Any comments you give us will bepassed on to team leaders.C mp Complaints areanother means of giving us your feed back; if you are very unhappy with our servicethen you may wish to use ourcomplaints procedure availablefrom reception or your worker. Any feedback you give us will beused to in uence our services andhow we deliver them. Last year you told us you wanted a sink installed in our internet area inBath and one was installed.

We now need your views onthe Service Users Charter onthis page. You can let us have

your comments by talking toa worker, posting them on theDHIs notice board or any of the

ways listed above.Sean Kehoe, our Service User

Development Worker, is keento ensure your views are heard.Please feel free to pop in for achat or give him a ring on 01225329411 on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. He is

based in the computer room atDHIs Bath of ces.

h w w dp d s c

u DhiW w d k

y c t s c u i m s gya c c p b p

p g m .

t d 3 d J rom 3pm - 6pm

s M v g C cD g s , B w ck (B m B w ck h )B b c , r m d e m p d d

C d W c m

t Dhi C b ck d w p m d .e t d M m 4.15pm c p c c w b d

s M c W C c , B d s .


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u i .

n c c

Alcohol concern 0207 9287377Alliance, the (methadone) 02083 744395Cannabis Hemp In ormation Club 0145 8835769Cocaine www.cocaine.org

Date Rape Drugs www.roo le.comDrugscope www.drugscope.org.ukDrug Education Training 0117 99415810Ecstasy. Org www.ecstasy.orgErowid www.erwid.orgGood Drugs Guide www.thegooddrugsguide.comGreen Party Drugs Group 0171 7370100

Hemp UK 0186 5311151Hitwww.Hit.org.ukHoward league For Penal Re orm 0171 2817722

Justice For Woman 0181 3403699Li elinewww.li eline.org.ukMainliners 0201 5825434Medical Marijuana Foundation 0157 9346592National Alcohol Helpline 0345 320202National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600National Sexual Health/HIV 0800 5671123Ox ordshire User Team 0800 0320829Project LSD0171 2881500Release www.release.org.uk/bust.htmlRe-Solvwww.re-solv.orgTra asi 02085 339563

Trans orm Box 59, 82 Colston Street, Bristol. BS1

l c c c

h d o fc d B a o fcDrugs and Homeless Iniative15-16 Milsom StreetBath BA1 1DEtel 01225 329411ax 01225 334734

email in [email protected]

D p g h& i d p d c31 Monmouth StBath BA1 2ANtel: 01225 334185(Counselling Service: 01225 422156)ax: 01225 465774email: in [email protected]

Dhi s G cSouth Glos Drug & Alcohol Service

130 Tower Road NorthWarmley BS30 8XNFreephone: 0800 0733011In ormation & Brokerage: 0800 1955784tel 01454 868750ax 01454 868755


Dhi sw dThe Old School HouseMaxwell StSwindon SN1 5DRFreephone: 0800 9704830tel 01793 617177ax 01793 486591


Dhi K g w dO ce 10Kingswood FoundationBristol, BS15 8BD

y t m CThe Bungalow24a North Road

YateBS37 7PATel: 01454 273643Email: in [email protected]


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Off The Wall Issue 17

Documents

Transcript of Off The Wall Issue 17