Project workers warn of the use of new drug in Bognor Regis

The incidence of ketamine, a class C drug, is being seen more and more by workers at the town-centre Clock Walk Project.

The project provides services for drug and alcohol users. Manager Claire de'Ath said: "Our number of clients is steadily increasing. I don't think there's necessarily more users.

"I think there's more of an acceptance towards drugs. The general public are starting to become comfortable coming to services like ours. Years ago, it would be quite a 'no, no'.

"What is changing is drug trends. There is a lot more crack use in this area than there used to be and we are working with more ketamine users than we did."

Another noticeable trait among the project's clients was the increase of those who combined drugs '“ such as crack and alcohol '“ rather than taking one substance.

The past year, to the end of April, saw 330 individual users go into the project off the High Street. Its services '“ such as open access, one-to-one help and needle exchange '“ were used 3,056 times during that period.

After an initial assessment, users decide on the level of support they required either in the project or elsewhere.

The project's workers also assisted a further 382 individuals in those 12 months.

Also treated at the centre are those with alcohol problems. Ms de'Ath said: "We have two alcohol groups a week with 20 people a time.

"They are always full with dependent and binge drinkers. It used to be the case it was OK to drink like that because it was a legal substance and it can't be a problem.

"But education has started to change that attitude and encouraged people to get treatment."

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