Drugs bus to set up off Ascot High Street
Lisa Jones • Published 24 Jan 2013 09:30
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People with drug and alcohol problems will be able to take advantage of a new mobile service, to be opened off Ascot High Street on Friday.
The mobile treatment outreach service is a fully kitted out bus which is equipped to offer a safe space and privacy, providing free and confidential advice and support, interventions and referrals to other services.
It will also offer access to an alcohol detox nurse, a trained counsellor and support for concerned loved-ones.
The bus will be parked near the Jaguar dealership every Friday between 10am and 1pm and is an extension of a service, provided by charity SMART CJS, which was launched in Windsor in November. Jenny Bryan, SMART service manager, said: "Outreach is particularly effective in helping to engage people and reduce harm in more rural communities. It also increases community awareness of recovery and the services we provide.
"We are the front line and it's quite easy to access treatment if you want it."
Ward Borough councillor, David Hilton, said the service could only have a positive impact. He added:"If [people] are fighting to break away from addiction, we should do everything we can to help them. Where they are proposing to park, it won't impact on the High Street."
Councillor David Coppinger, cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "I am sure the addition of an Ascot location will enable the drug and alcohol action team (DAAT) and its service provider SMART to provide support and advice to a greater number of residents."
The bus will be stationed along the High Street for a couple of months, before its necessity and impact is reviewed.
Claire Gomm, DAAT manager and commissioner, said: "The Royal Borough fortunately does not have a big issue with drug and alcohol misuse but it is vital that we enable as many people as possible to access the outreach service."
Anyone in the borough wanting to talk to someone in confidence about their substance misuse can visit the mobile outreach vehicle, call SMART on 01628 683260 or visit www.smartcjs.org.uk.
** Do you think the mobile treatment outreach service will hamper trade on Ascot High Street?**
This article appeared in Bracknell News 24 Jan 13
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