I was in agreement with recent letters criticising Brighton's Drug Dependency Unit (DDU). Two years ago, a member of my family came to Brighton to seek help getting off heroin. In my naive middle-class way, I assumed we would just have to contact the services for drug users and we would get the help we needed. I was wrong.

I went with her to the DDU and was shocked by the attitude of the staff and the treatment we received there. I registered my criticisms at the time with the management but didn't receive a response.

Fortunately, we did receive help and support from the Drug Advice and Information Centre (DAIS).

Organisations such as DDU must listen seriously to the views of people who have used and are using their services. The behaviour of those with drug dependencies is often irrational and unco-operative, but this is no excuse for treating them with disrespect.

Working with people who have such challenging problems is very difficult, so the quality and training of staff is vital to the success of the services. I wasn't convinced the necessary investment was being made.

The consequences of the lack of money, skill and attention is that many service users simply do not find the help they need. There should be a massive input of money, energy and research into drug-related issues, possibly financed by taxes on alcohol and tobacco.

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