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1 March 2010 |
drinkanddrugsnews
| 11
Right here, right now! |
User activism
www.drinkanddrugsnews.com
WHILE SERVICE USERS
and substance misuse
practitioners headed home with that warm glow
that this excellent conference generates in all of
us committed to service user involvement, a
meeting was being held in a side room back at
the hotel.
The National Users Network (NUN) were
holding their AGM and using the opportunity to
meet in person and review progress so far. Jimi
Grieve stepped down as chair and Steve Freer was
elected in his place.
Activists from all over the country met to
renew their commitment to drawing together
users (and ex-users) to ensure our voice is heard
and that we are involved in the provision of
services. The struggle against stigma was high on
the agenda, as it was in the main conference.
The AGM heard announcements that a new
Facebook page has been launched with a mixture
of information, advice, questions and answers.
This was the second year that NUN has seized
the opportunity offered by the
DDN
/Alliance
conference to meet, debate and revitalise our
movement at this outstanding event, not least
with the announcement of our new website
(www.nationalusernetwork.org)
.
It resulted in a change of management and a
pledge to continue transparency and equity in the
management of the group – by ourselves and for
ourselves – and to continue to promote the cause
of unity among those affected by drugs of all
kinds.
As well as NUN’s new web-side developments,
if you were inspired or interested in the event and
want to keep that warm glow, then stay in touch
through NUN and discover a world of information
and fellow activists.
Do it now!
http://health.groups.
yahoo.com/group/nationalusernetwork/
Joining up the dots
The National User Network (NUN)’s
latest AGM gave an opportunity to
reflect on dynamic progress in the past
year, says its co-chair
Francis Cook
Wirral service user groups
Eleven service users from the Wirral came to the
conference, representing different groups, and all
reported that they ‘enjoyed the day immensely’ and
came back feeling ‘inspired and proud’ of their
achievements to date.
The groups included ACTIF (Alcohol Client
Treatment Involvement Forum) whose members give
peer support to people looking for help from alcohol
services; SHINE (Support Help Inspire Nurture and
Empower) which supports people though recovery to
access education, training and involvement
opportunities; InnerAction, a mutual support group
for service users of any drug using status and C The
Difference, for those concerned about their hep C
status and those in or considering treatment.
‘It was so gratifying to see all those years of
working with a service user group presented so
professionally by our service user involvement
manager Natasha Smith, in partnership with Wirral
DAAT – it summed up the years of debate, argument
and partnership really well,’ commented Francis
Cook, chair of InnerAction. ‘Seeing our groups
presented alongside all those others at a national
conference gave me such a sense of pride and
purpose, not just in what we’ve achieved on the Wirral
over the past nine years, but also the spreading
influence of this movement along with the many
friends and colleagues from all over the country.’
Natasha Smith relayed comments from others in
the group: ‘Meeting other service users and groups
and chatting to them about how they are run and
funded was great, and being asked about all our
groups and what we do was such a boost,’ said one.
‘I spoke to people from different parts of the
country about their relationship with their DAATs and
was surprised that they don’t all work together.
Everyone I spoke to knew what they wanted to do
and what they wanted to achieve, but all were at
different stages,’ commented another.
SMUG
SMUG are the Substance Misuse Users’ Group,
an independent users’ group based in Gwent,
South Wales. They collaborated with Caerphilly
Drugaid (whose peer mentor group has crossover
membership with SMUG) to produce a manual
called Change, which gives tips and techniques
for making changes in life, and which was among
their materials displayed at the conference.
Sian Cox, who attended the event with three
peer mentors, said the group ‘loved being on the
stall alongside different service user groups’ and
found it particularly interesting to talk to those
who had formed their own groups.
‘I hope we can visit other groups as a result of
the conference and hear about good skills and
practice,’ she commented.
Swanswell
‘If you were able to go back in time to meet the
younger you, what would you do and what
information would you give to yourself?’ This was
one of the questions Katharine and Mo asked
delegates passing their stall.
Responses showed a desire by people to give
honest information to their younger selves, they
reported. They would make clear that taking drugs
or drinking could have an effect on all aspects of
their life, and mention that talking to someone
who had ‘been there’ and could give clear
information could help them choose a different
path.
‘Make sure you’re not led by your friends – peer
pressure can take you in the wrong direction,’ said
one respondent. ‘I’d provide easy to understand
information that showed how taking drugs would
mess up their health, work and hurt those around
them,’ said a delegate, while another commented:
‘I’d tell them what I’ve experienced – give them a
look into their future if they choose drugs.’