A Dundee-based MSP has called for a training scheme to be introduced in the city to help recovering drug addicts find work.
The Scottish Drugs Forum’s (SDF) Addiction Workers’ Training Programme prepares addicts in recovery for jobs in social care.
Although the SDF has received enquiries from people in Dundee about participating in the award-winning scheme — which is funded by Drugs and Alcohol Drugs Partnerships and local authorities — it is not available in Dundee.
Labour MSP Jenny Marra said: “We know that this training project goes a long way to helping people in recovery build their lives again.
“It’s a great pity that people in other parts of Scotland have been able to take part but people in Dundee who have wanted to get involved couldn’t because there has been no local funding.
“I hope it’s something the new Dundee Drugs Commission can look at as part of their work on helping people recover.”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said there are similar schemes already in operation in the city but supported employment programmes are likely to be discussed by the Drugs Commission, which met for the first time this week.
The Drugs Commission was set up to reduce the number of drug-related deaths in Dundee.
The spokesman said: “The Dundee Alcohol and Drugs Partnership believes in the benefits of providing individuals with lived experiences with opportunities to attend employability training and gain qualifications to help with their recovery from substance use.
“Since 2015 the Dundee ADP has funded a peer-support co-ordinator, based with Cair Scotland (and now Gowrie Care) to work with peer mentors and volunteers to deliver a very similar programme to the one delivered through SDF.
“Over those three years this specific Dundee programme has developed and changed in line with our experiences of what works best in Dundee and for the individuals in recovery from Dundee.
“Tayside Council on Alcohol (TCA) also provides employability programmes to individuals reconverting from substance use.
“In addition the city is home to a newly established RecoverTay Group, aiming to provide communities and individuals with hope that recovery is possible.
“This group is funded through NHS Tayside’s Community Innovation Fund and by local organisations. It focuses on organising social and information events throughout Tayside to share recovery stories and to support people to attend groups and activities that can support their recovery.
“These social events promote health and wellbeing through drama, poetry and other creative activities. All of these projects follow the same principles and offer the same input as the one provided through the SDF programme.”
He added: “We have not been approached by SDF for funding regarding this initiative.
“SDF’s chief executive is a member of the Dundee Independent Drugs Commission and its is likely that issues regarding supported employment programmes will be part of the Commission’s deliberations.”
