Release, the national drugs charity based in Hackney is celebrating as it has received a grant worth £40,755. The funding will support the salaries of two new advisors for its drugs and legal advice helpline. The two year grant has been made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales through its Community programme.
Since 1967 Release has provided legal and medical advice from its offices in London. In addition to their national helpline the charity runs legal outreach services for drug users and training events for staff and volunteers working in the drug sector. Their advice and information services are professional, confidential and free. Release also uses its 40 years of expertise working with drug users, their families and voluntary groups to campaign on the legal and political issues surrounding drugs and substance use.
The Lloyds TSB Foundation grant has allowed the charity to recruit two new drug and legal advisors for the helpline. This increased capacity means the phones can be manned for an additional two hours every day, doubling the number of calls the charity can deal with. Release advisors receive calls on a huge number of issues ranging from individuals dealing with severe drug dependencies, parents looking for advice about how to approach the topic of drugs with their children and people concerned about their legal rights regarding drug testing at work.
Head of policy and communications at Release, Claudia Rubin commented, “The Release drug and legal advice helpline has been running for over four decades but today we are able to help more people than ever before. Many of our callers are struggling with incredibly difficult issues and we try and help make their world less chaotic.”
The Release drugs and legal advice helpline now operates from 11am-1pm and 2pm- 4pm Monday to Friday on 0845 4500 215. At all other times you can visit their website to access a range of useful information, www.release.org.uk . If you are interested in volunteering with Release, particularly if you have legal experience or are currently a law student, they would be delighted to hear from you on 0207 749 4044.
Lloyds TSB Foundation grant manager for Essex and North East London, Jude Stevens discussed the funding, “Release have become experts in the field of drugs and substance misuse and they offer a wealth of legal advice to callers. The Lloyds TSB Foundation is delighted to support the expansion of that service for the benefit of vulnerable people across England and Wales.”
