Former addict says Brighton's drug problem is 'very bad'

Ian Thompson was just 15 when he started taking drugs. First, it was cannabis, then it was amphetamines and then it was cocaine.

His experiment soon spiralled into a dangerous addiction that seen him in and out of trouble with the police.

Thirty-four years later, Ian is beginning to "transform" his life thanks to the help of his local church and community group.

However, the 49-year-old said the drug problem in Brighton is getting worse because of what he says is a lack of support available for addicts.

He said: "It really gets my goat up that when the council says there needs to be order with the drug and alcohol scene.

Ian says the drug problem in the city is getting worse

"Funding has been cut. The drug problem is getting worse."

The 49-year-old has begun to "transform" his life thanks to the help of a community interest company Safe Haven Sussex and is now three and a half months clean.

The organisation provides accommodation, care and support for single individuals aged 18 and over who are homeless or facing homelessness.

Ian said Safe Haven's support system for addicts is what allowed him to turn his life around.

He added: "The problem is very bad. If someone has an addiction and they come to Brighton it is not a good place for them to be.

"When I got referred to the drug and alcohol service in Brighton and Hove, they do triage to decide what is the best option for you."

Ian is now sober and turning his life around

He added: "My life is still a work in progress and I am hoping to do something self-employed this year. My life bit by bit is changing for the good.

"I've been clean for about three and a half months.

"Safe Haven has been the main support for me. They have a real good support structure for people with an addiction.

"My life has been transformed really. People really put a downer on people with an addiction.

"I hit rock bottom and found support with Safe Haven Sussex who helped me rebuild my life again."

Government statistics released last year revealed Brighton and Hove remains the South East capital for drug misuse deaths with 24 people dying in 2019 alone.

Misuse means the deaths involved illegal drugs, or were as a result of drug abuse or dependence.

2019 marked the second year the total has fallen from a high of 37 in 2017.

The Office for National Statistics figures also showed 30 “drug-related” deaths that year.

These deaths relate to poisoning from a variety of illegal and legal drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

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The figures count deaths from drug abuse but also include those from accidents, suicides, and health complications arising from drug use.

In Brighton and Hove, there was a total of 102 deaths between 2017 and 2019, at a rate of 11.7 per 100,000 people – up from 11.3 in 2016-18.

Across England, the average death rate for 2017-19 was 7.1.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “Anyone who requires support around drugs or alcohol in Brighton and Hove can access the Change, Grow, Live recovery service at www.changegrowlive.org

“The service is open access, self-referral and completely confidential.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic some services are being delivered over the telephone or online. But anyone who needs to be seen face to face will be.”