Minister sees young people at a turning point » Communities » 24dash.com

Cabinet Office Minister Gillian Merron saw first hand today how people in South London have managed to escape a life of drug and alcohol misuse and rebuild their lives.

On a visit to Turning Point in Brixton she met both adults and young people who had faced up to their problems and were actively addressing them.

Gillian Merron, who has responsibility for social exclusion,
said:
"Alcohol and drug abuse can all too easily rob people of the chance to make something of themselves and their lives. A home and a job are the core foundations of normal, everyday life, and without them vulnerable adults and young people risk a lifetime of wasted potential."

"That's why projects like Turning Point are so important - they reach out to people who have already taken the important step to change their lives for the better but who need help to do it."

Turning Point runs more than 250 services across England and Wales helping people with mental health problems and learning disabilities, as well as those who have misused alcohol or drugs.

On her visit to the Brixton project Gillian Merron saw two Alcohol, Counselling and Prevention Services (ACAPS) for adults and for young people and spoke to staff and service users about the challenges they face.

Turning Point's ACAPS Adult Service manager, Tully Treslove, said:
"We
are delighted that Gillian Merron chose to visit Turning Point ACAPS and highlight the benefits of this crucial service which really does help people turn their lives around."

"Turning Point offers a range of community-based services to those who have stabilised their drug use and feel ready to explore their goals around training, further education and employment - a positive intervention at a time when people need us most."

Notes to editors:

1. For more information please contact Cabinet Office Press Office on 020 7276 3472.

2. Turning Point is a social enterprise, providing services for people with complex needs, including those affected by drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems and those with a learning disability. They provide over 250 services across England and Wales, and have contact with nearly 140,000 people.

3. Turning Point ACAPS Adult Services run a work and education preparation project called Next Steps for people from within Lambeth, Lewisham, Wandsworth and Southwark, who have experienced a substance misuse problem and who are ready to gain skills and confidence to progress toward their future goals. Services include a holistic assessment, basic skills tuition, and a six-week course at Lambeth College, individual support, one-to-one counselling, benefits advice, careers guidance, personal mentor support and complementary therapy.
ACAPS Adult Services also runs a progress2work programme which works in partnership with Jobcentre plus, helping drug users to gain employment.

4. Turning Point's Alcohol, Counselling and Prevention Service (ACAPS) Youth project in Brixton offers support to young people aged 10-25 around their use of drugs and alcohol, including one to one key work and therapeutic group work as well as activities around young people's alcohol use. Services include housing, education, training and careers, basic skills and self development.

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