The addiction service currently provided by The Bridge Addiction Service finished on 31 March 2005. From 1 June 2005 Turning Point Scotland will be providing a new and innovative addiction service for people in South and East Ayrshire.

Turning Point Scotland is a voluntary organisation with a substantial track record in the field of addiction services. From 1 June 2005 this new, innovative service will be able to respond to people in crisis but will also offer a full range of person centred support to allow individuals to progress beyond stabilisation to education and employment opportunities.

The service will offer a mix of one to one support and group work, helping the person address their drugs issue and any other social care issues which accompany it. This could include housing, criminal justice, child care or financial problems. This service will work in full partnership with other Addiction Services provided by the NHS, Local Authority and Voluntary sector to provide a comprehensive range of service provision.

Interim support arrangements have been finalised for vulnerable people to cover the period between 31 March 2005 and 1 June 2005. Every individual currently in receipt of a prescription – for example, methadone - will continue to receive this. From 1 April 2005, NHS Ayrshire & Arran will continue to provide planned appointments and a prescribing service for people who are assessed as requiring this support. Individuals will be contacted and will be advised of the specific arrangements that are being put in place for them.

Until their full addiction service is available, Turning Point Scotland are providing a temporary crisis service as an outreach from their Glasgow Drugs Crisis Centre. This will be available from 1 April, 2005 on the following crisis number:

01563 574257

The temporary crisis assessment and referral service has been set up for individuals who are facing a crisis and whose problem cannot wait. Appointments for this service will be arranged through the crisis telephone service. They will help you assess the problem that you face and can arrange for you to be seen at one of the following temporary crisis services:

64 Fort Street, Ayr
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 2pm
Friday from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

The Bentinck Centre, East Netherton Street, Kilmarnock
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 3pm to 5pm
Friday from 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Chambers Room, Cumnock Town Hall
Monday from12 noon to 2pm
Wednesday from 3pm to 5pm.

This emergency service will be for those people whose physical or social need is extreme. Examples include:

• they could become homeless
• their physical health is compromised by injecting
• they risk losing custody of their children
• they have outstanding warrants and need to address this

Download Addiction Services Poster (22KB)

April 2005