Caroline Flint opens new Drug Rehab Centre

20 February 2006

A NEW drug treatment, rehabilitation and aftercare centre, the first of its kind in the Yorkshire and Humber region, was officially opened on Friday 17 February by Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Public Health.

New Beginnings is unique in providing a wide range of treatment services, residential accommodation and structured day-care activities under one roof – all designed to link together to help former users turn their back on drugs for good and prevent the 'revolving door' of intervention and relapse.

The creation of the centre, in Balby, Doncaster was led by Doncaster Central Primary Care Trust (PCT) in partnership with the town's Drug Action Team and the government-funded New Deal for Communities regeneration programme. It was given the go-ahead after local consultation which revealed that Doncaster residents wanted to see more being done to tackle the local drugs problem and is now helping to play a key role in cutting illegal drug use and drug-related crime across the borough.

Caroline Flint said: "It gives me great pleasure to open the New Beginnings treatment centre. Pioneering projects such as New Beginnings not only save lives, but transform them by helping drug users get their life back on track. Treatment also works for communities, which benefit from a reduction in drug related crime.

"Government has increased funding for drug treatment. With the opening of New Beginnings we are already seeing the fruits of this investment."

Doncaster Council supported the project by providing the building, which had been empty for a number of years.

Doncaster Central PCT Chair Roni Chapman said: "Good partnership working has enabled New Beginnings to benefit from several sources of funding. Over 20 partner agencies and community groups currently provide services to clients using the centre, from employment advice to music technology workshops and relapse prevention sessions."

The centre opened for business in August 2005, initially for day-care clients who take part in a 12 weeks long programme of activities, including creative writing, complementary therapies, music and learning how to cook healthy meals and live a healthier lifestyle. They also work with tutors from Doncaster College to choose training programmes they are suited to, with some already signing up for welding and building trades courses to boost their skills and enhance their job-seeking opportunities. Ten clients from the Doncaster area have already successfully completed the day-care programme.

Alongside the structured day-care programme, two other key features of the New Beginnings approach are three short-stay bed-sits for people who need drug detoxification treatment; and eight self-contained flats within the building for people who have come off drugs but need longer term support to cross the bridge from drug treatment and rehabilitation back into mainstream society.