JULIE CRITCHLEY is a key player in the battle to tackle one of the area's biggest problems.

She has been appointed drugs worker at Hindley Prison and will work with the many juveniles who pass through the criminal justice system only to find themselves before the courts again on their release.

She said: "For me as a drugs worker it's disheartening to see the lads come out of Hindley clean, with meat on their bones, and within a short space of time meet up with them again, thin, wasted and after needles."

Julie's task will be to work with youngsters as soon as they enter the confines of Hindley.

Those with a drug problem will be referred to Julie and a dedicated team of prison officers and prison staff and once they are released they will be followed up.

This new approach to tackling drugs and crime is seen as the only possible way forward.

Julie, 33, explained: "For a long time everyone said there was no drugs problem in our prisons, but we all know that's wrong.

"This is an innovative way of working. We aren't here to lecture and we shan't simply wave them on their way when they've served their time.

"But what we will do is offer them help and support all along the line."

The approach so impressed the prison authorities that they recently awarded Bolton Community Healthcare Trust a three-year contract to provide a counselling, aftercare, rehabilitation and treatment service at Hindley.

The manager of the Community's Trust's substance misuse service, Gary Oulds, said: "The link between drug abuse and crime is well documented and we also know that prisoners who have managed to reduce or eliminate their substance abuse in prison very often relapse on release.

"This can lead to people re-offending to help fund their habit and, in some cases, results in overdose.

"This initiative is a first.

"By tackling the issue head on and getting to people before they relapse and re-offend, we are taking preventative action.

"There are significant benefits for the people of Wigan and Bolton. Substance misuse is a serious problem in the area and is very common among the prison population.

"There is strong evidence to show that if you tackle the issue of drug abuse, you make significant inroads into crime rates to the benefit of everyone."

Far from being overwhelmed by the task in front of her, Julie is confident she and her colleagues can make a real difference and make life better not only for her clients but ultimately for society as a whole.

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