Littlehampton support group is working to defeat addiction

THE stigma surrounding drug addiction is the hard-hitting focus of a new film made by a Littlehampton support group.

Impact Workability, based in Beach Road, premièred Recovery Works at Littlehampton Town Council’s New Millennium Chamber.

The audience of about 60 included some of those who feature in the 10-minute film.

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The motivational story tells how four former drug users beat their addiction with the group’s help.

Littlehampton man, Simon Humphrey, 30, was one of those who put their life in the spotlight after coming to the rehabilitation group.

He said: “When my mother died, I moved to Littlehampton and stayed with my aunt.

“At the time I found it difficult to cope, so I started drinking and taking drugs.

“My aunt was wonderful, but she couldn’t deal with it all.

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“It was unfair for her, too, so she told me to leave. I then spent the next 10 months living on the streets and sleeping in bus shelters,

“I lost myself. I was taking hard drugs like heroin and cannabis and I drank heavily. I was in a bad place.”

The film shows how Simon found stability after staying at the Stonepillow charity’s homeless centre, in Chichester.

While there, it was suggested that he should join Impact’s training course.

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He has since managed to beat his drug and alcohol addiction and is now studying for a counselling course at Chichester University, with the hope of gaining full-time employment.

Others in the film have found full-time work or are on training courses.

To see the film, or, find out more about Impact, call 01903 730044 or visit the website http://www.impact-initiatives.org.uk