‘Big Brother’ strategy could help with rehabilitation

Release/Rhyddhau: Wednesday, 15th June 2006

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

New Welsh Liberal Democrat social justice spokesperson, Mick Bates, has called on the Labour Assembly Government to examine new ways of helping people after they have gone through rehabilitation for substance misuse.

His comments came after a visit to Cardiff drop - in centre, Inroads, where he spoke to staff about the problems that could arise after treatment takes place.  Mr Bates learned of new ways in encouraging rehabilitation, such as shared accommodation for those recovering from substance misuse.

In his first Social Justice and Regeneration committee today, Mr Bates called on the Minister to  investigate this policy.

He  said:  “At the moment many people go through rehabilitation and are placed in sheltered accommodation on their own. They are in unfamiliar circumstances, where it is easy for them to revert back to their old ways.

“One solution is to place people into accommodation with the people they went through rehabilitation with.  There they can help each other and ease themselves back in to everyday life.

“It’s just like entering the  ’ Big Brother ’ house.  People would continue their  rehabilitation  through sharing and experiencing a new life alongside others committed to doing the same.

“There are far too many people going back to their own ways simply because there is no one around to care about them.  This simple step could help many more people return to an everyday life.”

Edwina Hart, the Minister with responsibility for Substance Misuse in Wales agreed that greater action needed to be taken.  She also agreed to examine the shared accommodation option.