Pubdate: Fri, 10 Jul 2009
Source: Bournemouth Daily Echo, The (UK)
Copyright: 2009 Newsquest Media Group
Contact: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/yoursay/sendaletter/
Website: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4484
Author: Bob Jolliffe, Staff Writer

CONTROVERSIAL NEEDLE EXCHANGE IS OPENED

NEW Milton's controversial drink and drug clinic needle  exchange has
been officially opened by former town  mayor Cllr Goff Beck and site
manager Annette Davolls.

Cllr Beck, who holds New Forest District Council's  crime and disorder
portfolio, has supported the  proposals to locate a drink and drugs
centre in New  Milton ever since the idea was first mooted by 
Southampton-based drugs rehabilitation charity the  Society of St James.

An intial plan to locate the clinic in Old Milton Road  was turned
down by the district council but the second  application, for a split
site at numbers 5 and 20  Whitefield Road, succeeded on appeal.

The Bridge, as the centre is known, is located in the  former Dorcas
charity furniture shop and has been open  for several months.

At the opening, Cllr Beck said: "The Bridge Project is  a much-needed
service available to all in the New  Forest.

"The misuse of solvents, drugs and alcohol is often all  too prevalent
in our neighbourhoods, and it is  important that the support and
advice which the Bridge  offers to the community is accepted and
integrated into  our lives.

"The Bridge is managed and staffed by dedicated  professional people
with great back-up assistance to  help those who volunteer for
assistance to kick their  substance misuse.

"I wish it every success."

The centre is seen as a vital service to combat the  misuse of drink,
drugs and other substances in the  area.

As well as providing a needle exchange service for  intravenous drugs
users, it offers support and advice  to alcohol and drugs users aged
18 or more.

The drop-in centre provides a warm welcome.

Clients are assessed and offered programmes which could  include group
therapy, alternative therapies and/or  working with support agencies.

There is also an after-care programme for those who  have given up
substance abuse but require access to  training and future employment.

The Bridge also runs a volunteer scheme and provides  support for
carers.

Staff work closely with carers' groups, pharmacies,  GPs' surgeries,
other drugs and alcohol teams and  Hampshire Primary Care Trust.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr