Case study 1

HEROIN and crack cocaine user Mark was cuckooed.

At first he thought the dealers were his friends and invited them in when they asked to come to his flat in Oxford to deliver his drugs.

By the time he realised they wanted it as a base to deal drugs, it was too late - Mark was in debt to them and trapped. He says: “All I cared about was drugs. When I went to score they would always say can we come to your flat?

“It soon became apparent if things didn’t go their way what would happen.

“Sometimes there would be 14 lads in my flat. If any of their dealers got robbed they would come down with metal strips, hammers, knives, it was really intimidating. I knew what would happen if I didn’t do as they said. They had made themselves comfortable in the flat and they would sit there all day. I just thought I was another drug user doing what he had to do to get through. In reality I was being used.”

Mark was only able to escape when a neighbour called police due to noise from the flat. Police and the council realised Mark was being cuckooed.

He adds: “My case workers from the council and the police were amazing. They offered me help and support and got me into rehab.

“They used to check on me every day to check the dealers weren’t coming back.

“I have been clean for two-and-a-half years. I’ve a new flat and full time work.

“If anyone is in my position reach out to the police or council. There is help out there and it has changed my life.”

The dealers got comfy in my flat and would sit there all day