Online help for struggling addicts

The Safer Rotherham Partnership’s Internet service www.hiwecanhelp.com, is aimed at helping users, their families and other health workers find support.

NHS Rotherham is leading the scheme in Yorkshire, with a further six other areas poised to sign up.

Ron Overton, who works for the Rotherham Drug and Alcohol Commissioning Team, said: “It's a fantastic resource for us which will help get the harm reduction message and how to access treatment and other support services to those affected by drugs and alcohol abuse.

“While there are some national resources, there is nothing of the kind which allows us to tell people how they can find help here in Rotherham.

“A marketing campaign is already under way across the borough and registrations for the website are already coming in."

Roweena Russell, a former Harm Reduction Strategy Manager, dreamed up the website.

She said: “The online package offered by 'hi' can be tailored to meet the needs of local drug action teams.

“The harm reduction model is at the centre of what ‘hi’ does, which is to provide clear, up-to-date information to reduce the risk of harm to all people who use all types of drugs.

“It's a place where Drug Services workers can pool knowledge, and where front-line staff, drug users and their families can join a nationwide debate about how we can reduce the number of people turning to drugs in the first place.

“This is not an organisation, it is a cyber-collective that provides a space to share information, ideas and best practice."

As well as online discussion forums and contacts database, the site includes a host of resources for drug action teams including training materials and drug treatment information to name a couple.

For more information visit www.hiwecanhelp.com.