The First Minister was invited to a relaunch of the South Glasgow Drug and Alcohol Recovery Hub

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has praised the work of a service which supports Glaswegians battling addiction.

Since it opened in August 2016, the South Glasgow Drug and Alcohol Recovery Hub has helped approximately 1,240 vulnerable people on their recovery journeys.

The service, operated by the Mungo Foundation, exists to support people to move away from alcohol and drug dependence.

The hub has moved location several times since its inception, however has now settled at its final home in Carlton Place. Sturgeon was invited to a special day on Friday (2 August) to celebrate the success of the initiative and allow guests to look around the new base.

“Too many lives are lost as a result of alcohol and drug use,” Sturgeon said. “The health and social needs of those most at risk are wide ranging and complex and it is clear that a more person-centred approach is required and new public health responses need to be considered.

“But we should not lose sight of existing success. Since the creation of the new South Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Hub, more than 1200 people have been helped – through support, counselling and being offered opportunities in volunteering, education and employment.

“That’s a large number of lives transformed. And because drug and alcohol use is something that impacts on so many lives, these services not only help support individuals, but provide what can be much needed strength and support for families and friends of those who are most at risk in our communities.”

Using an outcome-based support model the hub enables individuals to set their own goals, so that progress can be measured on their own terms. An holistic approach gives people the support they need to take ownership of all aspects of their lives, including mental and physical health, finances, relationships, housing, employability and parenting. Alongside their individual recovery journeys, participants are invited to join their peers in group work, with guitar classes, arts and crafts, yoga and reflexology all proving popular.

In its first two years the Hub saw a 20% improvement in terms of drug and alcohol misuse across the caseload.

Biba Brand, regional manager for the Mungo Foundation, said: “The hub offers a safe space for people to come and nurture their recovery; when times are tough, we’re there to support them, but we’ve also seen amazing peer to peer support thriving within the space.

“This contributes to a growing sense of momentum within the service. If we’re successful, then we’re helping to deliver the Glasgow HSCP and ADP strategy. It’s important that those with substance use problems have an effective recovery pathway. People are able to move from services like the Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services to us, and on to the South Community Recovery Network.”