STEVE’S STORY...

“WHEN I was 18 I started going out partying and using drugs. Soon I was addicted to heroin and cocaine. This led me down the path of drug dealing and gang activity. I lost touch with all my family.

“There were court appearances and I did a couple of prison sentences. At the peak of my addiction, I was very lucky not to have died.

“When I was 31, I decided to try to turn my life around. I was released from prison and I plucked up the courage to get back in touch with my family. “My sister told me about a support organisation for people affected by drugs, crime and homelessness. “I moved in and after 12 months of hard work, I was clean off drugs. When I left, I got a job and moved in with my partner; soon after, we found out she was pregnant. We got married, had the baby and everything was brilliant for a while.

“Then my wife suffered from post-natal depression and things got dark. I relapsed, it all started to spiral. We knew we had to get clean for good. “I started volunteering with Emmaus North Staffs four days a week. I was there for nine months. The staff really helped me get through that horrible time.

“The people at Emmaus North Staffs were very friendly and supportive, and the work schedule helped a lot because a big part of recovery from addiction is having structure and routine.

“It really helped me stay on the straight and narrow. I had something to get up for each day.

“In my job now, I support young people aged 16 to 18 who are having difficulties. I use my own experience to help me mentor them.”