News Drug worker set for award
A Goole drugs worker is in line for a national award after being nominated by a mother struggling to cope with her son's heroin addiction.
Sadie Ross-Johnson, who works for the East Riding Partnership (ERP) at the Community Drug and Alcohol Team, based in Boothferry Road, was nominated for the Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Award, which is designed to recognise and celebrate people who do the kind of work Sadie does.
She has been in the job three years and works as part of a multi-disciplinary team of counsellors, nurses and medics.
The mother who nominated Sadie, whose son is being treated for heroin addiction, had suffered from depression.
She said: "When he went in for treatment, I went to see Sadie. She recognised the problems I was experiencing and offered support and counselling. I don't think I could have got through the last 12 months without her help. I have suffered a nervous breakdown in the past and I think without help from Sadie this could have happened again."
The nominator, who does not wish to be identified, added: "Sadie is never too busy to talk. She has given me sensible advice and helped me to understand the nature of addiction. She is always optimistic and gave me hope that all would be well."
Sadie helped the mother and son retain their relationship and to understand each other and the problems they both had. They are both now on the road to recovery.
The mother said: "My son is in treatment now but Sadie continues to offer support whenever I need it. Just knowing that I can talk to someone I trust about my problems is a big help. I cannot praise Sadie too highly, she has been much more than just a counsellor, she has been a rock for me and my family."
The ERP is a partnership project between the Alcohol and Drug Service, a registered charity and the Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust. It provides both drug and alcohol services.
Kirsty Young, Sadie's line manager at the Alcohol and Drug Service, said: "It is wonderful that the great work of Sadie and the East Riding Partnership has been recognised. It is not an easy job to do and requires great commitment and skill. It is heart-warming to know the community with whom the team works has recognised this."
Two awards are available, one for an individual and one for a team. Each winner will receive £10,000 for his or her organisation to spend on the prevention or treatment of drug misuse. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London at the end of the year.
Published on 21st August 2008 in News.
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