A scheme has been launched to help people in Fraserburgh battling addiction.
Recovery charity Teen Challenge North East Scotland will host weekly-drop in sessions at Fraserburgh Community Church as part of a new partnership.
A team trained to help men and women with addiction will be in the church in Grattan Place every Tuesday to offer advice as well as an assessment to potentially place them in one of the charity’s two facilities.
Teen Challenge currently operates Sunnybrae near Fyvie for men and women’s centre Benaiah near Mintlaw, offering a retreat where people can tackle their substance misuse and take time to rebuild their lives.
During a placement, residents complete a Christian faith-based programme with a mix of classes in counselling, reflection, work duties and recreation.
Fraserburgh Community Church pastor Kevin Duthie said: “We as a church know that drugs and alcohol continue to tear families apart in Fraserburgh and so we’re delighted to be involved in launching rehab placement here.
“We care about our town – and our members have a real heart for those hurting in addiction – so we’re pleased to be able to play a part in what can be the solution for men and women finding true freedom.”
The launch of the Fraserburgh initiative comes at a time when focus has recently been on drug-related deaths.
Paul Beaton, support worker and communications coordinator at Teen Challenge, said: “The latest stats make for concerning reading and we have to remember that each number represents a heart-breaking story of someone’s life, hope and future being taken from them.
“We’re extremely pleased though to partner with Fraserburgh Community Church and bring this new initiative to the town to tell people who are caught in addiction that there is an answer and that they can find their way out of the mess and misery to start a new, fresh life.
“We’d encourage anyone interested in more information and guidance on how to beat addiction and live a life of freedom to come along.”
The team will be posted at Fraserburgh Community Church every Tuesday from 1pm to 2.30pm.
For more information on the charity visit www.tcns.org.uk or call 01651 891627.
