Inspiring story shows key role played by youth service

REGARDING the article “The Asbo stopped me from drinking. Now my mum says she’s proud of me” (Yorkshire Post, May 27), in the profile Sheena Hastings wrote of Catherine Emery, a picture emerged of a truly inspirational young woman, which Catherine is.

Having served a two year Anti Social Behavioural Order, Catherine not only demonstrated how she could turn her life around and abstain from alcohol but she also had her ASBO term reduced because of her good behaviour.

However, it was not just the ASBO or the additional Community Orders imposed by the courts, which changed events.

Integral to Catherine’s progress were the sustained, weekly interventions by various practitioners from the Leeds Youth Offending Service (YOS). They provided guidance, intensive work around substance (alcohol) misuse, encouragement and support for Catherine to develop her artistic talent. The legal framework enabled the YOS to provide this support over a two year period.

I am no longer part of Leeds YOS but I do know that everyone in the service is thrilled by the wonderful progress Catherine has made.

Leeds YOS is very committed to guiding and supporting young people who offend (and their families) and helping them to realise their potential. This makes the community a safer environment for all.

From: Gail Drake, Alcohol Counsellor, Haven, Marshall Avenue, Bridlington.

IN response to the article about drinking and alcoholism (Yorkshire Post, May 27), you see first hand the devastating effects of alcohol on an individual and the impact that it has on their families.

Many of our clients have had community detoxifications with no follow-up provided. Indeed, we have one client at the present that had a total of 17 detoxifications with no follow-up whatsoever. Needless to say, he drank again.

Working in a rehabilitation clinic gives me an overall view of alcoholism including the problems related to the treatment of alcoholism. The last year has seen far fewer people being funded for residential rehabilitation. This is evident in the amount of open places we currently have at The Haven.

To just give an alcoholic a detoxification is a waste of public resources in the form of money and staff hours along with a waste of the patients’ time.

The most important thing to consider when treating an alcohol dependent individual is aftercare and counselling. This care can only be given in a suitable, controlled environment such as a rehabilitation unit.

Not all alcoholics are down and outs. Over the last two years alone we have treated people from all walks of life including social workers, nurses, sales executives, dentists, IT professionals, teachers, painters and decorators, drivers, the wealthy and the poor.

All of the aforementioned had received community detoxifications in one form or another and failed, in my opinion, through no fault of their own.