Story

Antidote, London’s vital LGBT drug and alcohol service unfortunately closed its operations earlier this month. Luckily London Friend, one of the oldest LGBT charities in the UK is in talks with a number of funders to try and save this amazing service.   Antidote was set up in 2003 to tackle the increasing rise of drug use within our LGBT community. It is the only service of its kind in the UK and one of only a small number of specialist LGBT drug and alcohol services in the world.  Anyone who has come across this service will know the amazing work that they do, and what is at threat of being lost if the service cannot be saved.   As well as providing invaluable support to 100’s of people every year they also train health workers across the country in working with LGBT people around their drug and alcohol problems, and are pioneers in raising the issue of LGBT drug and alcohol usage, and its impact on our communities’, health up the health agenda.   The risk of closure of this service comes as a UK Drug Policy Commission Research review shows LGB people are about three times more likely to report having taken drugs than heterosexual people, while approximately one in nine LGB people has used a Class A substance in the previous year.  Despite these figures, patterns of drug use within the community have historically led to difficulties with funding services targeted at LGBT people.  The widespread use of ‘party drugs’, such as ecstasy and methamphetamines, is not classed as ‘problematic’ by the Government, which focuses much of its resources to treating those affected by heroin and crack cocaine.  In addition, LGBT people have reported facing personal and institutional homophobia when attempting to use general services.   Antidote has been at the forefront of filling this gap in service provision by developing a model of care for LGBT people in London.  As well as directly helping thousands of people across the region in the past eight years, it has also acted as an invaluable ambassador to highlight the specific issues raised by drink and drug use within the community to the wider public health sector.   This work, and the enormous beneficial effect it has had on our community, will be lost if we cannot find a way to save it.   Toni Hogg, the current Antidote Coordinator says “although it is a shame that we will be leaving our home here at Turning Point, the potential to move the service to London Friend is very exciting. Times of crisis create opportunities and we have the opportunity to create a stronger service, and stronger organisation, better equipped to create a healthier gay London”.   London Friend, which next year celebrates 40 years of providing health and well-being services to London’s LGBT community is in discussions with a number of potential funders to try and continue this vital service.   Despite this WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP. The service costs over £100,000 per year to run and even a small donation could help save this amazing service.   Please DIG DEEP and give all you can, and please spread the word!   THANK YOU

Save Our Antidote

Save Our Antidote

Story

Donation summary