Peterborough Nene Drug Interventions Programme

The Peterborough Nene Project, set up in September 2003, is a police led initiative which offers community-based treatment and support to people with Class A drug problems. Whilst the project initially identified prolific offenders and approached them to join the project, it now uses a variety ways of enrolling clients.

The project works in a holistic way with service users and has been highly successful. Inspector Michael Beales, leader of the team, recently won a prize as a finalist in the OPM Public Management Leadership awards.

WIRED was commissioned to write 19 Personal Stories with clients who had been with the project for varying lengths of time. Interviews took place in February 2005.

Sophie's story
Sophie (26) self-medicated her mood swings with various drugs before discovering she suffered from manic depression.

Adam's story
Adam (21) grew up on a housing estate and became involved with drugs and crime from the age of nine.

Chloe's story
Chloe (43) first used heroin at the age of 35 following the break up of her marriage.

Paul's story
Paul (18) decided to change his lifestyle following the birth of his son 17 months ago.

Karl's story
Karl (27) has been to prison around nine times and is determined not to return again.

Tony's story
Tony (36) has been a heroin user for 18 years and is taking full advantage of this opportunity.

Anne's story
Anne (25) was scared to seek help for her heroin addiction as she thought she may have her children taken of her.

Sam's story
Sam (24) grew up in care and first used heroin at the age of eleven.

Daniel's story
Daniel (21) has not used heroin for four months.

Owen's story
Owen (20) would like to relocate and make a fresh start.

Matthew's story
Matthew (20) is doing a sports leadership award and wants to teach sport to children.

Russel's story
Russell (24) was caught in a vicious circle of drug use, homelessness, destitution and prison.

Ben's story
Ben (25) became fed up of the drug-using lifestyle and decided to make a change.

Craig's story
Craig (34) was selling amphetamine and heroin to support his drug habit.

Dean's story
Dean (22) approached the Nene project and is happy with the progress he has made.

Richie's story
Richie (27) would like to help other people with substance use problems.

Liam's story
Liam (33) has made several attempts to stop using drugs over the years.

Tom's story
Tom (32) had an alcohol problem before being introduced to heroin.

Mark's story
Mark (26) experienced great loneliness and despair, leading to a suicide attempt.

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