OffTheWall

No.11 Autumn 2008

I n f o r m at I v e

supportIve

c r e at I v e

Packed with features and new sections!

Check out inside...
Interv iew with Bath May or

Ketamine - The Facts

Feed six for under a fiver

In this issue... Sober at Glastonbury - any fun? l Whats an alchoholic? l Poetry corner l DHI Xmas cards l Whats on at DHI l Computer games reviewed l Book reviews l DHI garden wins award! l Whats your beef?

What do you think?

This will take place on Wednesday 17th December 10.30-12.00 in the group room. Food provided. This is your service. We need your contribution to improve it.

We would love to hear your opinions about DHIs services at our next service user feedback meeting.

Charity Christmas Cards

Now on Sale
Following the recent success of our design a Christmas card competition in September, we are delighted to announce that we now have charity Christmas cards hot off the press and on sale.
The winning designs will be available to purchase from the Bath office reception @ 3 for 6 cards. All proceeds will be used to develop DHIs services for clients.

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

Contents
Mayor of Bath interview Day & Night Support Service BADAS Ketamine - the facts! Ketamine - Jos experience Clean & Sober? Whats Your Beef? Definition of Life DHI Xmas cards result Poetry Gardening award Feed six for under a fiver! Book reviews Computer games review Some adverts 4 6 7 8 8 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23
Meeting the needs of the individua l Making a difference in the commun ity
Illustration: Robin by Ellie

19
16

Next issue

24

Company No: 3830311 Registered Charity No: 1078154

Drugs and Homeless Initiative 15-16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE tel: 01225 329411 fax: 01225 334734 email: info@drugsandhomeless.org.uk web: www.drugsandhomeless.org.u k

22
100% recycled

CardsFinal.indd 2 27/10/08 09:04:52

Off The Wall Magazine 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE Tel 01225 329411 Email offthewall@drugsandhomeless.org.uk
Patron Midge Ure Off The Wall Team Acting Editor: Rachel; Computer Reviews: Stephen; Books: Jim; Mayor Interview: Gemma; Food: Rachel Contributors Joe, Nicky
Copyright 2008 Drugs and Homeless Initiative. All rights reserved.

4 Interview: Bath Mayor

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

An audience with DHIs No.1 Fan...

Hawkwind, poached eggs and Sunday afternoon in front of the rugby - we get a rare insight into the life of Baths Mayor - Councillor Tim Ball.
Interview by Gemma

HI spoke to the Mayor of Bath about the Change Scheme, his working day and preparing to run the Bath Half Marathon. The Change Scheme has been running in Bath for many years, collecting residents small change in seven locations throughout the city. As part of the scheme, the Mayor of Bath donated 500 to DHI at a presentation on Monday 16 June this year. DHI was set up back in 1999 to help break the cycle of homelessness and drug and alcohol abuse. During that time, weve helped over 4,000 people overcome their addictions. And it is thanks to donations like the Mayors that were able to continue to help the people in need across Bath and North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Mendip and South Gloucestershire. When speaking to him about his donation, the Mayor commented that he considers DHI to be very important and that he wants to continue supporting us. DHI has gone a long way in providing a good system, he said. Although hes never personally had any experiences of drug or alcohol abuse, he believes that alcohol has become so accessible to so many, that people dont realise what theyre getting involved in. Before they know it, its snowballed out of control. We were also intrigued to find out what being the Mayor of Bath involved. It involves lots of different things, he said. From opening events and welcoming visitors to working with lots of different people and charities.

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

Quick Q&A
What did you have for breakfast? Im on a diet at the moment as Im preparing to run the Bath Half Marathon so I ate a poached egg on toast. Whats your favourite band? Hawkwind. Favourite film? One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest. Whats your ideal Sunday? To relax in front of a rugby match.

The Mayors Curry Recipe...

Chicken Madras
Ingredients 1lb of chicken or meat that you prefer in little olive oil 1/2lb mushrooms 1/2lb onions Garlic 3 cloves - crushed 1 tin tomatoes or passatta 1 tin coconut milk 2 desert spoons of madras curry powder Method While this is all cooking drop a bouquet garni bag in it, but dont forget to take this out before you dish it out. If this needs to be slightly thicker drop a bit of tomato puree in or if you dont like too much tomato then a bit of instant mash will be just as nice To serve Put with basamti rice or chips or baked potato

6 Whats On @ DHI
Monday
10.00 - 2.00

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

Tuesday
10.30 - 2.00

Wednesday
12.00 2.00

Thursday
10.00 - 12.00

Friday
10.302.00

Arts And Crafts Group

(Drop-in) 2.30 - 4..00

Womens Group
12.002.00

Gardening Group
2.30 - 4.00

Drop-in Advice Service

(Last Thursday Of Each Month) 12.30 - 2.00

Communications Group
2.30 - 4.00

Off The Wall

Magazine Group (Drop-in) 12.30 - 2.00

Topic Workshops
Managing Emotions Developing Self-esteem Managing Stress Becoming Assertive

Abstinence Group
5.00-6.00

Abstinence Group
5.30 - 6.30

Book Club
(1st Monday Of Each Month) 6.45 - 8.15

A Chance To Change Group

2.30 - 4.00

A Chance To Change Group

1.00 3.30

Baad Auricular Acupunture

Homeopathy
(Waiting List) 2.00 10.00

Football

Positive Change Group

Polarity Therapy
2.30 - 4.00

Positive Change Group

6.00 -7.00

Relapse Prevention Support Group

(Drop-in) (No Referral Required)

A CHANCE TO CHANGE What Pleasures Does Your Drug Use Bring You? What Difficulties Does It Take Away ? What Problems Does It Add To Your Life? What Good Things Does It Take Away? l This group aims to assist people to make their own choices about what, if anything, they wish to change about their substance use. l This is a rolling group which takes new clients on a weekly basis. POSITIvE CHANGES How Can I Manage Cravings? How Can I Manage Tempting Thoughts? How Can I Develop My Confidence And Coping Skills? What Might Get In The Way? What Else Might Help You Achieve This? How Will I Keep This Going? l This offers clients the opportunity to develop and manage their plans for

change, overcoming obstacles and developing commitment. l This group takes new clients every six weeks. ABSTINENCE What Is The Next Step? How Can I Increase Importance Without Adding Stress? How Can I Build A Lifestyle To Support My Recovery? What Are My Triggers And How Can I Manage These? How Can I Prevent Lapses Becoming Relapses? l This group aims to support people who have identified abstinence as a goal. This group takes new clients every six weeks. WORKSHOPS @ DHI Series Of Three Sessions Focusing On Topics That Interact With Changes Around Substance Use.

Topics Are: Becoming Assertive; Improving Self-esteem; Managing Emotions; Managing Stress WOMENS GROuP Drop - In Womens Support Group RELAPSE PREvENTION SuPPORT GROuP Drop In Talking Support Group For Abstinent Clients. BRIEF 1-1 COuNSELLING An Opportunity To Explore Drug Or Alcohol Use 1-1 With A Counsellor, Either To Help You Arrive At Your Decision Or To Maintain Progress. l This service is available most days and some Evenings.

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

7
32-33 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LP, 01225 469479 frontdesk@badaservices.org.uk

Support in Bath
Day and Night Support Services in Bath
Julian House
Manvers Street 01225 354650 Day Centre: Offers tea and coffee/General advice/cooked meal 11.00 until 11.45 Mon-Fri: 9.30 until 12.30 Sat: 9.30 until 1.00 Sunday closed Night Shelter: Open every night 8pm-8.30pm Overflow Shelter: 15-bed spaces at no charge Open 10.30pm-7.30am No booking required, first come, first served basis, deadline: 12.00am.

DROP-INS

The Soup Run

The Soup Run is open at 7pm seven days a week, 365 days a year in the Old Cattle Market, off Walcot Street, in the centre of Bath, providing free coffee, soup and sandwiches. Each night of the week is run by a team from a different church. People use the Soup Run for a variety of reasons, because they are homeless they dont have a place to cook or their benefits have ran out. The soup run offers support, a point of contact and a social meeting place.

Had it in the ear yet?

Free Acupuncture Service

Genesis
Lunch Box St Michaels Church (Opposite Waitrose) Mon-Wed: 12.30 until 1.30 Egg, bacon and sandwiches, tea and coffee (50p - 1) General advice.

Lifeline Centre
The Forum Building (Corn Street entrance) 01225 329263 Mon-Fri: 2pm-4pm Support and advice on all issues (including homelessness, substance misuse) A safe place to rest up. Tea and coffee available

Acupuncture What auricular acupuncture may do for you: Decrease withdrawal symptoms Improve mood and sleep Ease cravings Increase sense of calm Relieve stress Available Mon 12pm, Thurs 12.30pm, Fri 3pm. BADAS provides auricular (ear) acupuncture by trained practitioners. This is a free service for anyone the B&NES community who has concerns abouth their own or someone elses drug or alcohol use. Blood-Borne Virus Nurse BADAS have a registered nurse offering support, advice, vaccinations and screening for substance-related infections. Please phone or call in at the Broad Street project. Relaxation Fri 12-1pm. Contact BADAS for details. Family Support Group Concerned about someone elses drug or alcohol use? BADASs family support group can offer: A safe place to express and explore your feelings Information and advice concerning drugs and alcohol Support with difficult decisions Thurs. 5.30-6.30pm Herbal Therapies A selection of herbal teas is available for help with detoxing, relaxing and reducing cravings. Contact BADAS for details. Needle Exchange Service Confidential and free advice, information and support concerning drugs or alcohol, either face-to-face or over the phone. Initial assessments for onward referral into specialized treatment, i.e. Structured Day Care, Housing, Prescribing. Clients can self-refer or be referred by GPs, social services, probation, police and other helath and social services. No appointments needed; clients are seen on a first-come, first-seen basis. Needle Exchange Scheme Providing clean needles and syringes in return for safe disposal of used equipment. Harm minimization, advice and support, paraphernalia for safer injecting for safer injecting and safer sex practice. Mon 9.30-1pm, 2-4.30pm Tue 9.30-1pm, 2-4.30pm, 5-7pm Wed 11-1pm, 2-4.30pm Thu 9.30-1pm, 2-4.30pm, 5-7pm Fri 9.30-1pm, 2-4.30pm

OTHER SERVICES

This is a free service available Sunday Centre to anybody who is Genesis experiencing drink or drug Sunday: 1pm 5pm related problems. Every Sunday of the year Ear acupuncture based Informal drop ain at be Methodist Church, Dhi also offers range can Nexusvery (no need to book) at the Nelson Place of aftercare services helpful inEast, London Road. Project relieving stressandShed including access to a Low cost dinner, warm 55 Newlocal gym, St Bath. Kings complimentary and anxiety as friendly environment. Next to Percy Community Centre. well coffee and cakes. Tea, as some of therapies, auricular the more physical For more info & advice Sunday papers and games acupuncture and computers symptoms of Tel:07952296990 available. with internet access. withdrawal.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays

11.00 to 12.00

The following services are available by arrangement only. Please contact BADAS for details. Alcohol Management Group Support for people with alcohol issues. Tues 5.30-7pm Preparation 4 Change A support group for people with drug or alcohol issues. Thurs 11-12.30pm Seated Massage Working through clothes and in a chair, this massage is focused mainly on the upper body - shoulders, neck and head. It can help on many levels, for example: to ease muscle tensions, to energise, reduce stress levels and cravings, improve sleep and well-being. Open to anyone who has concerns about their own or someone elses alcohol or drug use. Thurs 10-1.00pm

10

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

4-page special feature: Ketamine

... and why its sh*t!

Jos experience of Ketamine...

etamine is a relatively new drug, (first created in the 60s for medical purposes and later developed as an animal tranquilliser,) and has recently exploded on the UK party scene. It is rapidly becoming more and more popular and is now a common street drug too. Reports of people getting very sick from k have been most severe in London, Reading, Leeds, Brighton, Bristol and also here in Bath. It comes in crystals that are then dissolved in water and cooked into a powder, which is then snorted. Although it can be injected or swallowed as liquid, however this is believed to be far more damaging.

The biggest damage

The medical profession dont really know anything about k. It is only now that the damage caused by k use has become clear. All users have basically been guinea pigs. Ive been sniffing for over five years, and yet what Ive found out over recent weeks has made me think long and hard about my habit. The main damage to the body is in the urinary tract (penis/vagina), the bladder kidneys and bowels. Urologists have recently discovered that this is because of the way k exits the body, on the way out it rips the internal tissue of the bladder and urinary tract causing it to bleed and scar and therefore shrink. This obviously means more frequent toilet stops, as well as leaving you more open to infections, the most common one being cystitis (burning and painful when pissing). I know many people who use regularly and all have had crippling

cystitis at some point. I also know users who have had to have a catheter fitted before their even 21, and users who have had bladder operations. If you use K regularly you will inevitably end up unwell. I dont think the buzz is worth the risk of never being able to have sex again. Most K users are young people, from all sorts of backgrounds and it alarms me how acceptable it is to stagger around like a brain dead zombie with

snot all up your sleeves on a Wednesday afternoon. Its just not right. Ive seen so much suffering over the years from K and I cant stress enough how bad the drug is. It really scares me too that users are getting younger, kids as young as 11 are sniffing. This is quite simply unacceptable. Reports of K related health problems are so widespread and frequent now that if it were an illness it would be declared an epidemic.

Its not just the internal damage that can harm users, being a tranquilliser/anaesthetic users can move around without the brain on, I myself have fallen down concrete steps, and many a time fallen on my arse like a new born deer.

11

Worse than Heroin

Ketamine is physically more damaging than heroin, fact. Not a fact acknowledged by many users, (no one wants to have the smack head label) and unfortunately because of the way the drug works a lot of users praise it and defend it and this makes it hard to get through to a lot of users. Furthermore, because of the pain killing abilities, users get trapped in a cycle of using, to take away the pain that its causing, therefore getting worse and worse. I know users who have ended up taking heroin as a painkiller and are now addicted to that. Not good. Ketamine and heroin go hand in hand together on most levels, yet K is only a class C drug, with the health risks being so high, it should clearly be class A. This would hopefully put youngsters off using, and maybe make it not so socially acceptable and maybe dealers would think twice.

The mental effects

Another point id like to address about k is the mental effects. K has a very controlling way about it and I have seen people become slaves to it, (including myself), a whole house of people following a frying pan round from room to room, gagging for a line or a pinch or even just a crumb. Its actually disgusting. People that are bad on K will lie, blag or steal to get a sniff. The consequences dont matter as long as theres a sniff to be had. This is another likeness to heroin, desperation for the hit. The trip from a K-hole can be extremely disturbing, I once had images of babies heads exploding and burning, to say the least it was horrible. The point is it could really screw some peoples heads up severely. This needs to be addressed. Many users believe the K epidemic to have a conspiracy attached, a dangerous substance, that has a snorting novelty, arrives on a party scene and slowly turns all the once

energetic and articulate people into introverted, selfish zombies. Take them down from the inside. All k use seems to go on with no media attention, people are dying because of it and the media says nothing, if someone died in a club on a pill it make the headlines. It wouldnt be the first time either. Heroin appeared after the battle of the bean fields to keep all the travellers down, now k is keeping the ravers quiet. Alcopops too, appeared when everyone went to free parties drinking soft drinks and water, the government lost tax money so brought out brightly coloured drinks as a gimmick. It worked better than they realised I think. Its not just the internal damage that can harm users, being a tranquilliser/ anaesthetic users can move around without the brain on, I myself have fallen down concrete steps, and many a time fallen on my arse like a new born deer, luckily never too badly injured. However I have witnessed others nearly die from falling from balconies and landing on the head. This was a frightening experience. A friend also fell from a building into the Thames, fortunately he survived, but for some the story could be different.

change a lot of things associated with k addiction. For more info e-mail kaosand-antiks.hotmail.com This group is calling for funding in order to offer support and opportunities for users wishing to break the shackles of K addiction. This will hopefully include productive activities such as music, drama, mix media and other fun, fulfilling things, all suggestions welcome.

A way out...
Many users start believing that there is no life after K but this couldnt be further from the truth. The drug sucks you into your own personal fantasy and after a while it seems reality, where you can believe anything even though its completely untrue. I was living in a twisted, dark alternating reality, almost like two pilots battling for control of the ship! For ages I was petrified to stop using in case I never got my brain back, in case I was just brain dead forever, (better to have a reason for being a zombie, than not is what I thought, and yet after only a short while of stopping I feel human again and I can pick up where I left off start playing my records again and not fluffing sets because I cant see! I used to mix records and write all the time, then slowly I started sniffing more and doing the things I got a buzz out of less. I spent all my money on k instead of records, Ive spent roughly 30,000 pounds on K. When I realised this I was nearly sick. I couldve done so much more. Well, nows the time to get on an upward spiral instead, we all should.

Not enough help

Currently in the UK there is practically no help for people wishing to quit the drug. One thing I found with my habit is that I got into a routine of taking it with friends and it became the centre of our social activities. It controlled all of us. After doing this for years its hard to find other things to do with your time, this is why there needs to be places where people can go and do productive fun things to keep their mind occupied. There just isnt any support out there. However, groups are starting to form in this area, such as KAOS AND ANTIKS in Bath, who hope to

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

4-page special feature: Ketamine...

K: The Facts
ath and Northeast Somerset CSDP (Community Safety and Drugs Partnership) and Bristol Drugs Project are undertaking an information and harm reduction campaign regarding the use of the drug ketamine. The have provided us with the following information: There is compelling anecdotal evidence that recreational use of ketamine is on the increase in Bath and North East Somerset, in particular amongst younger people. There are a number of risks associated with ketamine use, both whilst under the influence of the drug and in the longer term. The following effects will vary according to the dose, the individuals tolerance, existing physical and mental health conditions and the environment. The risks associated with ketamine are covered in the next section. PHYSICAL EFFECTS Short term l An inability to move/numbness/ loss of co-ordination l Breathing problems l Slurred speech l Convulsions l Vomiting l Stomach cramps l Depression of the nervous system: temporary loss of bodily sensation l Unconsciousness l The potential for death by overdose Longer term l Problems with urination (pain and burning, blood in urine, frequent and sudden need for urination, leakage) l Permanent damage to bladder, urinary tract, kidneys l Weight loss and loss of appetite can result from heavy use l Increased tolerance (needing larger amounts to achieve the same effects) PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS Short term l Dissociation: a feeling of floating or flying, out of body experience l Feeling out of control/panic attacks/anxiety l Euphoria/rushes of energy l Hallucination: distortions of sight and sound l Psychosis l Aggressive or violent behaviour Longer term l Depression/anxiety l Flashbacks l Psychological dependence RISKS l Users may be physically incapable of moving while under the influence. l Ketamine can cause panic attacks or depression, and taken in large doses can make existing mental health problems worse. l Because ketamine is a painkiller, users can be unaware of serious injuries. l Ketamine is very dangerous when mixed with ecstasy or amphetamines. It can result in high blood pressure. l If high enough doses are taken, the anaesthetic effect can result in death, for example due to unconsciousness and inhalation of vomit. l Flashbacks, memory, attention and vision impairment may result from frequent and prolonged use. l Ketamine use is particularly dangerous and potentially fatal if used at the same time as depressant drugs such as alcohol, barbiturates, heroin or tranquillisers (e.g. benzodiazepines). l Long term and/or heavy use of ketamine can cause problems with urination. Permanent damage to the bladder and urinary tract/ kidneys can follow. l Ketamine is classed as a date-rape drug and users may be unable refuse or resist unwanted sexual attention. l Users who share any injecting equipment (needles, vials, syringes, spoons, filters or other paraphernalia) run the risk of becoming infected with Hepatitis B and C and HIV and are vulnerable to injecting related injuries.

InformatIon on KetamIne was also provIDeD By BrIstol Drugs project

Extra Information
There are a number of services available in B&NES for individuals who need help with problems related to ketamine and for their families and carers. If you are 18 or over you can contact BADAS on 01225 469479. If you are 18 or under you can contact Project 28 on 01225 463344. Both services are available in various locations around Bath and Norton Radstock.

Ketamine: An introduction
l the ketamine problem that is destroying, many young talented people has reached epidemic proportions in the last few years and so it is with this in mind that a group of us have started to get kaos-and-antiks... (Ketamine - action our solution-and-anti ks) off the ground. this is a grassroots organization that is attempting to make a difference to the problem. we have many ideas that we would like to take forward to help people who have a problem with this drug, but at the moment as we do not have funding our main objective has been to get the truth out about this class c? over the last few months a small band of us, made up of ex-users & people who have been around the drug for some time have been taking flyers, (totally designed by ex users) to a number of events,festivals clubs & free parties, this has proved that what we are doing is definitely needed. not only do users welcome the effort being put in to help them, but even dealers, when they listen to the truth, they have woken up & stopped dealing this substance that they too have been conned into believing isnt that dangerous. after all its a class c??? surely even the most ignorant mp realises that this is giving young people the impression thats its less dangerous on both the physical side but also it means less of a legal telling off than say hash, that is why so many are taking it but also dealing it. In fact this has in turn made some young people into dealers who never would have gone down that road,i have heard many young say they thought as it was only class c it would be weaker than smoking weed also a number of drug, youth & traveller groups have said thank goodness someone is trying to do something. the problem as we see it so far is that until now this drug was thought to be harmless. However a top research urologist has found the total opposite to be true and that in actual fact this is really beginning to prove to be one of the most damaging drugs out there. this is because it rips holes in the urinary tract which are not repairable and can lead to bladder removal & possibly kidney dialysis. not something any young person should be going through. as said before we do have a number of ideas to help users & also would like to be able to go into schools & collages to get the truthful message over.we have found that as this does seem to be such a young persons drug the already over stretched drug organisations out there dont attract the average ketamine user so we want to offer more activities & help that is aimed at this specific age group. we are going to shortly apply for funding & then hopefully put our ideas into action. our local mp Don foster has agreed to give us his support to help us get funding. there are already a number of young people who have stopped taking this drug with the small amount of info & help that we have given them. now they too want to try to get the truthful message out & help other users to get there lives back. the frank & moving article on the following spread is written by one such young person who is begining to get his life back together. Im sure that you will agree this is a massive problem that needs to be addressed in a new & inovative way. please do feel free to contact us at kaos-and-antiks@hotmail. com if you have any thing to say or have any questions or need our help.remember we are made up of ex-users so we really do understand. just remember you are so much more than K & maybe its time to wake up now. (nicky)

Harm reduction advice for users

Eating or drinking before using ketamine may cause you to vomit (throw up) or choke on your vomit if you lose consciousness. Guard against vulnerability and forgetfulness by making sure youre with people you can trust. Mixing ketamine with other drugs or alcohol will make problems worse. Avoid severe and long lasting tummy pain (K cramps) by not swallowing the drug there is a strong belief that ketamine in the stomach makes cramps worse. Seek advice and mention your ketamine use to the doctor. If you sit in the bath to soothe the pain there is a risk of unconsciousness and drowning. If you have a panic or anxiety attack, stay with your friends. Make sure someone is looking after you. Relax through slow, controlled breathing. If you experience problems with peeing, be aware that the symptoms wont be helped by cystitis treatments. Drink plenty of water. Seek medical help, tell your GP that you use ketamine and ask for a referral to an urologist to reduce the risk of permanent harm. If you find yourself needing to use higher and higher doses and are using more often than intended, keep an eye on your using. Give yourself breaks from using if you can. If you feel depressed and anxious when stopping or reducing ketamine use, get some professional help to manage your feelings while you reduce your using gradually. Try to distract yourself with activities you enjoy. Injecting ketamine brings other risks of damaging your veins, skin infections and getting blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis or HIV. Get safer injecting advice and equipment from your nearest needle exchange.

12

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

Glastonbury - straight on not?

Clean & Sober?

the festival season is now over but here is one persons experience of attending a festival for the first time planning not to use substances.
have been in recovery for coming up to 3 years. I was into heroin and generally everything I could get my hands on for 20 years. In my first year off everything I decided to reward myself and take a few weeks out at a local festival, being a life long festival goer, I though WOOOOOOOHOOOOOO I can go to a festival straight and really get to appreciate all the music, people and atmosphere without having to worry about how much gear I had to last me and also having to have a hit in a festival toilet is pretty damn shitty! I had high expectations of what a great time I was going to have. Falling off the wagon... The first one I did was The Big Green Gathering near Cheddar. One of my faves as it wasnt just about people doing loads of Es and party drugs but had a really good green theme with lots of different workshops and had lots of different seminars about shamanism and environmental issues. This was my holiday, my reward for all the sweat and hard work I had been through coming off smack. Life was now going to be different. 6 months clean, it was time to start living. I went there on my own and got some work stewarding, which meant that I got a free ticket and 3 meals a day. I just had to cover 5-6 hour shifts over the week. I set out with the intention of not drinking and definitely no class As and was just going to chill out and enjoy myself. WRONG! I managed to keep it together for the first 2 days setting up but when

the festival vibe started getting to me, it was like a slow build up. As people started arriving, the atmosphere changed. You could feel the excitement and anticipation in the air. I slipped into some sort of paranoid trip. Too many people for me to cope with. I remember feeling like Id done some acid but I hadnt and Im pretty sure nobody had spiked me. I slowly started unravelling. Part of me refused to acknowledge I was having a bad time and thought I just needed to loosen up a bit. So I decided to find some MDMA to sort my head out! (Yes, that was about the time that I well and truly lost the plot!) I found some MDMA and also ended up drinking too much rough cider (to mellow out the hallucinations I was now getting). The drugs and alcohol started kicking

in. I was getting there now. My mojo was definitely starting to work! The festival was changing shape for me. The feel good factor I so desperately missed was kicking in. It got even better I met this amazingly interesting guy who told me he was a warlock. (I vaguely remember thinking Oh My God, Ive never shagged a Warlock!). So we went off to have some proper high vibrational magical sex and float around in a bliss state. Woooooo Hoooooo, my worries and fears had disappeared. The next day, I woke lying next to this greasy, furry, stinky little man that would be best described as a Hobbit. (Oh My God! Wheres my Warlock? He must also have been a shape shifter!) I made a quick escape and finished my shifts in a troubled haze. I couldnt wait to get home. I knew

the first thing I was going to do was score. My head felt that mashed, I convinced myself it would be the only thing that would get me back. I only scored once but I will say it took me a good few months to get back on track again. Feeling Stupid Was it worth it? Yes and No. I felt pretty stupid and disappointed with myself but I did learn some valuable lessons. Now if I go to a festival, I always go with a friend or hook up with safe people when Im there. At the larger festivals, I always make sure that Ive got work as I find it quite grounding and sometimes, just knowing that you have to turn up for a shift sober and together, is enough to keep you safe. Also, Ive noticed that there are AA and NA meetings springing up at different festivals, which I think is great. Coming off drugs for the first few years can leave you very open and raw. It can be soooooo easy to come unstuck in intense places. These days, Ive found its important to recognise when a situation is getting too much and you start feeling out of control and vulnerable. The trick I think, is to remove yourself, be big enough to walk away. Go home and admit its all a bit much right now and maybe try it again when it feels right. Genine

An OTW Rant ! No booze, no fun?

Do you honestly believe we have to drink our self into oblivion in order to have some fun, well I dont.
And if you do then I hope you dont drive home. I have had a few great experiences where as designated driver I couldnt drink, but it wasnt as bad as its made out to be, standing there strait as a ruler, all I did was mingle yes I felt strange drinking non alcoholic drinks, but the fun was what was going on around me. I was with a good group of people at an illegal party called overspill and to observe my mates drunk was a laugh because I am usually so pissed I dont notice certain things, but I did then. You know I even pulled cause when you tell the girls who talk to you why you are not drinking they love it,all of a sudden your Mr mature and its great so theres your confidence boost no booze involved. I will say that in todays world drink is abused so much that I do worry about the young.

The main point is fun can be had drunk or not. Fact.

By Stephen Campbell

14 Whats your beef?

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

Offyour bike !
an off the wall rant by Jim Timoney

y beef? How about cyclists? No, not per se, not as a group overall. Just the ones who persist in behaving as if theyre a special breed, above the law and any code of decent behaviour - those who dont feel the need to bother with such formalities as lights after dark or a warning bell (maybe even brakes); those who think that traffic signals dont apply to them and worst of all the maniacs who daily try to mow me down on the pavement. (Note to our US readers: pavement translates into your language as sidewalk, not road surface). Grumpy Old Man? You think Im exaggerating? Am I just another Grumpy Old Man? Well, sometimes I am, but, in this case, Im simply telling it like it is. Every day, I encounter literally dozens of these inconsiderate, dangerous individuals as I walk around our city. It happens everywhere and is not confined to a few reckless yobs. The trend is universal, having been adopted by cyclists of all ages, all walks of life and both genders. The cheek is that the guilty ones seem to think that they are in the right and take no notice of pedestrians objections. They even hunt in packs! Only a few days ago, I was faced with at least six of them bearing down on me and hurtling to either side of me when I refused to step to one side. Prior to that, one guy stopped to explain that he couldnt cycle on the, at that time, empty road, because his bike had no lights! I rest my case. Leave pedestrians out of it! Now, you might think Im being a bit

harsh on the poor cyclist, given the volume of traffic on the roads. My answer is, dont take it out on the poor pedestrian, whose only place of comparative safety is supposed to be on the pavement. Instead, lobby for measures to lighten the traffic load on our streets - fat lot of good itll do you, Im sure, but its better than terrorizing the pedestrians of Bath. Lets see some respect... Why am I writing in this magazine about my beef? I hear you ask. Do I think it will make the slightest bit of difference? Dont be daft! Im not that naf. Its just that its pointless complaining to the Council or our overstretched Police Service. I did phone the latter recently

to get their reaction. They very helpfully agreed with me and promised to ensure that local community officers would look out for transgressors, but Im not holding my breath expecting anything to happen. Rather than trying to prosecute the culprits, Id prefer to see more cyclists respect my right to walk the pavements of Bath in safety by sticking to the roads and (all too few, Im sure) cycle lanes. After all, I make a point of not walking in cycle lanes; is it too much to ask that cyclists allow me to use the pavements in peace? In conclusion (sighs of relief ), the main reason Im writing this is to use it as an outlet to vent that old and dangerous enemy of mine - ANGER. Why not try it with your beef?

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

15

An OTW Definition of life

Alcoholism by Gemma
that alcohol abuse affects men and women from teenage years upwards the pressure on women to succeed in and out of the house hold have increased and alcohol is readily available as a form of relaxation. However the reality is that young adult women are physically more vulnerable than men to liver damage. The consequences of intoxication include acute alcohol poisoning, gastritis and pencreatitis which is an inflammation of the stomach and pancreas. The worse consequences of drinking excessively are brain damage, degenerative conditions of the liver, particularly cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis leading to jaundice and liver failure, also problems with weight gain with increased risk of diabetes, circulatory and heart disorders.

was asked my opinion on what an Alcoholic was an the problems caused by Alcoholism. I wanted fact rather than an opinion so I found my research from Health and social care. Edited by Robert Adams. Traditionally, approaches to problem drinking were based on the view Alcoholism was a physical addiction and illness or a disease, with biological and physical effects of the body that could not be controlled by the person. One of the commonest problems associated with Alcohol abuse is secrecy. Problem drinkers go to great lengths to conceal the extent of their drinking. Often partners who drink to excess often conceal the consequences which could include physical abuse, violence and money problems. Families also try to absorb these problems. A great variety of causes of problem drinking have been proposed over the years none of which has solid scientific research evidence to support it: alcoholism, the so called illness of excessive drinking the alcoholic personality with the tendency towards alcoholism; and an allergy to alcohol. There are a number of plausible theories have more research evidence to support it Genetic factors, involving an inherited proneness to alcohol in small proportions of cases, Instability at home, modelling their parents behaviour and cultural and social factors make it acceptable for people to turn to alcohol. Recognising

An OTW Rant ! Drunk? Itcant be allbad.. .

Getting drunk for the majority is just another excuse to lets just say be someone else for a while, but of course you can have great fun on a night out but it all comes down to certain things, who your with, the mood of the group and the venue you choose to be sloshed in. I like being drunk but not all the time. There is a fine line between drinking for fun and for need. Me I like fun its exciting getting ready thinking could this be your lucky night hoping you dont make a fool of your self (I THINK I HOLD THE RECORD FOR THAT ONE). But it is not all good this year alone drink related rape has gone up 15%. under age drinking has also gone up this has resulted in an increase in 999 calls, violence has gone through the roof which of course the police will deny.

Moral of the story - drink but do it with sense!

By Stephen Campbell

16

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

DHI Xmas cards unveiled!

Three is the magic number!

Back in September the winning designs for this years DHI Xmas cards were decided... Here we reveal the three winning designs and interview one of the artists.
Illustration: Festive Grouse by Richard

Meeting the needs of the individual Making a difference in the community

A word from a winner...

l I was overjoyed to win 3rd prize in the recent design a christmas card contest. there were so many wonderful entries and the competition was stiff and I could not believe it when one of the 3 judges midge ure announced my name in 3rd place. my entry being acknowledged. wow, what an honour! a photograph opportunity with Ken loach, a box of continental chocolates and a 20 gift voucher. so much! plus my design printed for all to see and raise funds for DHI. absolutely marvellous! Richard Westbury-Jones DHI volunteer
Drugs and Homeless Initiative 15-16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE tel: 01225 329411 fax: 01225 334734 email: info@drugsandhomeless.org.uk web: www.drugsandhomeless.org.uk
Company No: 3830311 Registered Charity No: 1078154

100% recycled

CardsFinal.indd 1

27/10/08 09:04:25

Meeting the needs of the individual Making a difference in the community

Illustration: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Christine

Drugs and Homeless Initiative 15-16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE tel: 01225 329411 fax: 01225 334734 uk email: info@drugsandhomeless.org. .uk web: www.drugsandhomeless.org
No: 1078154 Company No: 3830311 Registered Charity

100% recycled

27/10/08 09:05:16 CardsFinal.indd 3

Meeting the needs of the individual Making a difference in the community

Illustration: Robin by Ellie

Drugs and Homeless Initiative 15-16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE tel: 01225 329411 fax: 01225 334734 email: info@drugsandhom eless.org.uk web: www.drugsandhom eless.org.uk Company
No: 3830311 Registered Charity No: 1078154
100% recycled

CardsFinal.indd 2

27/10/08 09:04:52

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

17

Poetry corner
Looking after Jodi
by Jodi Hill

Life can be tough it can be a struggle Feeling isolated and trapped like Im in a bubble No escaping or finding my way free No way to stop worrying or putting my mind at ease Situations feel bigger and harder to face So I hide away and stay in my safe place I feel happy content and secure Until something knocks on the door The problems escalate and get on top of me So I burst my bubble and choose to leave Im terrified at first but then I see The only way to change is to believe in me Confront my past my fears and issues Im going to need a big box of tissues To change my life and be in control Im going to dig myself out of this hole No more crying or hiding away My life is getting better day after day Im being brave courageous and strong Fighting my way through it wont be long Till I am free from all the past I now can live my life at last Making everyday count and always be Positive and glad for being me

Whatchance doI have?

As I lay in bed in the waking hours, I wonder to myself, what sort of day lies ahead for me? Will it be a day when every one around me is in a bad mood, because their life is not quiet how they want it or will it be harmonious, and so off to our various duties in good frame of mind? As I take the first steps on my way I am aware of how I am dealing with myself. I am aware of everything around me and also the order I go about, to set myself for the day. I know at that point that these things will tell me what I should expect of myself today. Do i take time with myself, or am I in a bad mood and just want it out the way and really dont care how I feel today. Never mind how I feel, the noisy atmosphere of everyone else carrying out the same steps, tells me how they feel this morning. Are the children fighting again and not wanting to go to school, or are they content with what lies ahead of them today! Is my partner managing to get on with it today or is he struggling to get himself together and still not up and about. After all we all have our own problems. By using my senses I know all the answers to all those questions, with my mind, body and soul in tune I am at one with myself. Due to the many ups and downs of life, I am aware of myself and my emotions, and also the lives of those special people around me. Because of these gifts of life and because today I live again, I stand a chance! Elaine Stubbs

Love

by Rachel

Sleepless nights, endless pain. The chaos, noisy in your brain The wrenching pulls right in your gut The pills you take dont make it stop. You reach the bottom of your brew The pains still there You try and do. Just what you can To make it stop. Your bloody wrist, your silent scream. An empty pipe A broken dream. Love is the worst drug, in the land. Should be illegal, it should be banned!

18 Gardening group news

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

DHI wins Silver Award

A lot has been accomplished at the allotment this spring and summer including the creation of two ponds and surrounding flower borders. We decided to separate the allotment tinto two separate themes; One for the more traditional growing of fruit and vegetables and the other into a more therapeutic restful area, which caters for clients with an interest in flower growing rather than or as well as food produce. The flower gardens and ponds have been a huge success culminating in DHI winning a silver award in the Bath in Bloom Best Allotment category. We are currently cutting back and moving plants around to hopefully improve the colour scheme and design further.
We are always looking for new clients to join the Garden Club so if you would like more information or would like to attend, please phone Louis on 07970889165.

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

19

Recipes: Feed six for a fiver!

MAIN COuRSE

Beanzy Pie
Morrisons british potatoes 3.3lb 59p Betterbuy red kidney beans 14p value baked beans 20p Morrisons value tin tomatoes 19p Morrisons butter beans 420g 40p Morrisons broccoli 2lb 60p Betterbuy sweetcorn 15p Onions 25p Garlic 34p Betterbuy tomato ketchup 24p Wexford irish cheddar cheese 4oz 52p Method 1. Peel potatoes and boil until soft, drain and mash with 5oz of marg, meanwhile chop and fry onions and 3 garlic cloves in 2oz of marg, in a large saucepan until soft. Leave saucepan on simmer, drain kidney and butter beans and add to the onions and garlic, add tin of baked beans and tomatoes, blend the mixture to a fine pulp or with masher, continue to heat for 2 minutes. Take off heat then stir in 3 to 4 table spoons of tomato ketchup. 2. Place mixture in oven proof casserole dish, preferably 35 by 23 inch, cover with the mash and top with grated cheese. Sliced tomato optional. 3. Place in the oven at medium heat 3 quarters of an hour or until golden brown. 4. Boil broccoli and heat sweetcorn. Serve hot.

Check out these recipes over the coming issues...

Dustbin Omelette
l Might not sound very appetising but its a great way to clear the fridge of scraps and fill your face!

Soups
l Keep an eye out for a bunch of favourites - Leek & Potato, Lentil & Carrot and Tomato all coming to OTW very soon...

Salmon Fishcakes
l Dont think we can do Salmon on the cheap? Just watch us...

Kedgeree
l It might sound like a cousin of the Telly Tubbies, but this fishy winner is probably the cheapest recipe well ever print. And the tastiest!

DESSERT

Hot Choc Banana in Skin

6 Morrisons fair trade bananas 87p Bettabuy milk chocolate 23p Method 1. Keep skin on banana, make a slit on inside curve of banana with a knife, insert four squares of chocolate inside the banana, wrap the banana in foil. 2. Place in oven on medium heat for ten minutes until chocolate is melted.

Fancy yourself as a cook? Think you can better our resident masterchef? Send in your recipes, and pics and well print them...
(only if theyre any good!)

The Food Page

Off The Wall Magazine 15/16 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DE Tel 01225 329411 Email offthewall@ drugsandhomeless.org.uk

TOTAL: 4.96

20 Book new & reviews

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

DHI Book club

You may have noticed in the DHI timetable that we have a book club, meeting once a month. What happens here is that we are provided with a book to read each month and meet for about an hour on the first Monday of the following month at 5:30 pm to discuss it in an informal group. My aim in this section is to give a very brief review of some recent Book Club titles; I should point out that the opinions are my own and are not necessarily shared by other Book Club members, the OTW team or DHI. Jim Timoney

BOOK REvIEW

Evil Spirits
by Cliff Goodwin (Virgin Publishing Ltd, 2000)

Augusts discussion was about Oliver Reeds biography, written by Cliff Goodwin, who came to his task with a wide journalistic experience and previous biographies.
l Oliver Reed died in 1999, aged sixty-one, after a career in films spanning forty-five years and a long reign as one of Britains most notorious boozers, womanisers and hell-raisers. One of his more prophetic quotes was: I dont have a drink problem. If that was the case and the doctors told me to stop, Id like to think I would be brave enough to drink myself into the grave. It was in a bar in Malta that he proceeded to do just that. Goodwin describes Reeds last session in his prologue. Starting on beer, he moved on to rum, then whisky. Finally, he collapsed and died of a heart attack. Goodwin describes Reeds early life and acting ancestry, before outlining his film career, from bit parts in the 1950s, through Hammer Horror appearances, to his major parts from the mid-sixties. He died during the making of Gladiator. Whilst Reeds kinder, more generous side and his consummate acting ability are well covered, I was put off by the portrayal of his wild lifestyle as eccentric and humorous, playing down the darker side of his alcoholic excesses and the physical and emotional damage they wreaked on him and others. Having said this, I still retain a sneaking admiration for some of Ollies less harmful adventures, as well as his undoubted skill on screen, and I found the book a worthwhile read. JT

Coming up over the next few issues ... Screwed, Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway, Brideshead Revisited and many more...

21

BOOK REvIEW

Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit

by Jeanette Winterson (Pandora Press, 1985)
l Having read this book in August, this authors first novel was discussed at the September meeting. Initially, I doubted I should like it, finding it too tedious, and I almost gave up after the first chapter. It looked like becoming a mundane autobiography instead of a novel. However, it did arouse some emotional response, as I found the blind religiosity of Jeanettes mother and the rector infuriating and some of the more bizarre incidents raised a laugh. As I continued reading, my opinion gradually became tempered. I still found her digressions distracting and her rambling recollections frustrating but by about half way through the book I decided I had judged it too soon. The authors memories became more interesting and moving. It is to Jeanettes credit that she remained sane in the face of her mothers castigation and the vilification and casting out of the Church. The treatment she received at their hands and the rift it caused gave her a new resolve. I had to work hard at understanding and appreciating this novel but it was worth it. I ended up laughing at the bigoted religious attitudes of Jeanettes mother, the rector and the like. Their ignorance and intolerance were seen through and rejected by Jeanette and I see this as her triumph. JT

BOOK REvIEW

If Nobody Speaks Of Remarkable Things

by Jon McGregor (Bloomsbury, 2002)
l I was immediately put off this novel, chosen for our October discussion, because of the unorthodox writing style. However, I soon became intrigued to discover what the writer was trying to convey, so I persevered. Much of the novel is written as if by a woman. Although it is by no means unique for a man to do this (or vice versa), I still found it somewhat unusual. The novel is made up of a number of different stories and the author tends to skip from one to another so much that I found it difficult to keep track of who was who and how their stories connected, if at all. This is definitely not my sort of reading. I prefer a novel to have a recognizable plot, with a beginning, middle and end, ideally one I understand. unfortunately, this one was far too disjointed for me; jumping back and forth in time, as well as among scenarios, gave a lack of cohesion, so much so that I still felt in the dark at the end. I found it so boring and confusing that I fear I must have missed whatever point there might have been. unlike most books, I was glad to finish this one. Any novel is, of course, a matter of taste; this one didnt suit mine. This was McGregors first novel. I shant be reading any subsequent ones. JT

22 Computer Games
GAMES REvIEW

Off The Wall No.11, Autumn 2008

Oblivion
The Elder Scrolls Game Of The Year Edition

o start with, and remember this is just my opinion, Oblivion is one of the best R.P.GAMEs designed. As you will all find out I hope. The reason I love this game is the way its been portrayed. Every one has there own sense of being and you get very involved in characters lives, so much so that if you are asked to do a mission on his behalf you may take it personally. I know this may sound odd but I told you the game is good. Unfortunately I can only give you a limited review as the game is so long. At the start of the game you will be given a choice of ten different races to choose from, here are just a few... you can be a Nord with mainly warrior skills or theres the elf family in which you can be both High elf, Dark elf and lastly Wood elf. These characters are magic-based so you have a wide choice of characters - there are another six I havent mentioned. The game is a follow up to Morrow wind except you are now in the vast lands of Cyradil and Tamriel. You start off a pretty weak character so you have to mature as the game goes on and the challenges the game presents to the player are quite amazing. Its a whole new world in which you have complete freedom to explore, but the dark side of the game is Oblivion.. The Emperor and his heirs have been murdered by an evil Daedric cult called The Mythic Dawn. Thats what they thought by chance you awake in a prison dungeon, which by chance happens to be the Emperors only secret escape. The Emperor claims to have met you in a dream, he says your power could be what will stop the invasion led by Mehrunes Dagon the Daedric prince of destruction. Anyway it ends up with you following the Emperors guards to the next point of escape. This is where the emperor tells you he has one last son a true heir to the

septim throne.He gives you an Amulet which is the key between worlds. After this introduction you then go through some choices for the statistics of your character and off we go into the big bad world. You can follow the main quest or divert into the game and join one of the factions which will give your player a lot more experience points. Theres absolutely loads to discover with 7 minor cities and

one main city to explore, as well as the surrounding land. I cant tell you everything about this game because it would take days but trust me when I say this game is every thing an R.P.G should be when I say buy this game I tell the truth. By Stephen Campbell - Games Review Representative

Bath Half Marathon

Sunday 15 March 2009
The Drugs and Homeless Initiative has a number of Golden Bond places available for the Bath Half Marathon on Sunday 15 March 2009. We are looking for runners who can be clients, staff and supporters to take up the challenge and raise much needed funds for the development of our services. We just ask that you aim to raise sponsorship money and in return you will receive: l a free DHI running t-shirt or vest l entry to the DHI running club (which will be holding training sessions to help you get ready for the race) l events pre & post the race l encouragement and self esteem for your achievement!

for more information or to book a place phone Hannah weisberg on 01225 329411 or email hannahweisberg@drugsandhomeless.org.uk

relAtionships problem solving guest speAkers heAlthy eAting

self cAre support domestic violence

Womens group

sexuAl heAlth confidence every tuesdAy 10.30 12.00

A supportive And informAtive femAle only group covering the issues thAt mAtter to you. interested or unsure pleAse come Along

Activities refreshments

off the WAll is A mAgAzine by service users for service users...

Do you hold opinions and want to get your point across? Do you have experiences, interests, skills that you would like to share? Remember if its of interest to you, it may well be for others.

Off TheWall
No.10 Summer 2008

I n f o r m at I v e

All your favourites and

Relaunch Issue!

supportIve

c r e at I v e

a few suprises...

Ken Loach

Marathon

We stonbirt

In this issue... Bath Half Marathon resu lts l Interview with Dr. Carroll Exclusive: Ken Loach inte rview l Westonbirt Arb oretum Hep C: the facts l Che ck out the Gardening Group From Concrete to Jungle l Life stories l Art Group

We are keen to include your articles, pictures, photos and reviews so please keep them coming.

The magazine gRoup meeTs eveRy TuesDay aT 12pm in The compuTeR Room
everyone is welcome alternatively, you can email your comments and ideas to offthewall@drugsandhomeless.org.uk or contact holly on 01225 329411