Record number of drug and alcohol users successfully completing Forward Leeds treatment

Forward Leeds, the city’s alcohol and drug service, helped more people than ever to discharge from its services last year after reaching their goals, which for many included abstinence.

The service positively discharged 1,549 clients in 2019, up by 128 clients from the previous year and the most since it began in 2015.

Operations director for Forward Leeds, Lee Wilson, said: “This means real change for people across Leeds.

“The service is now beating the national average for all the major substance groupings of alcohol, opiates, non-opiates and alcohol with non-opiates."

Forward Leeds creates individual treatments for drug users and offers a range of support, including one-to-one treatments and group sessions.

Specialists at the service also provide care in mental health, harm reduction, detox and housing support.

Former user of Forward Leeds services, Robin Whitefield, said: “Coming into Forward Leeds was undoubtedly the best decision I made and the support I received from them was phenomenal.

“There were no lectures to endure, no axes to grind and no people to please and to date my sobriety continues, by attending appointments and meetings, listening to others and doing what is suggested.

“Had it not been for Forward Leeds, it’s not unreasonable to suggest that I would’ve died as a result of active alcoholism. My worst days sober are, far and away, better than my best day intoxicated.”

The figures for opiates, which include heroin, put Leeds in the top 20% of local authorities in England for successful completions, ahead of comparable cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield.

Lee Wilson added: “The majority of those who did not leave treatment in 2019 continue to be supported by Forward Leeds and hopefully will complete their treatment at some point in the future.

“We know we still have a lot of work to do, Public Health England estimates there are almost 10,000 alcohol dependent adults in Leeds."

Anyone who is worried about their drinking or drug use, or concerned about someone else, is encouraged to contact Forward Leeds for information and advice on 0113 887 2477.