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Alcohol and drug abuse charities are expected to be busy in the new year

The festive period is a time to indulge in food and drink in our current times, however charity workers in Wales say that drug and alcohol relapses are a big issue at this time of year. Sands Cymru in Swansea, Cais in North Wales, and Inroads in Cardiff are all standing by for their busiest time of year.

The chief executive of Sands Cymru, Ifor Glyn has said: “For us, I would say for the last five years we’ve definitely seen an increase in the number of people coming to us at the start of each year.” It is common for people over the Christmas period to overindulge, whether it is out of loneliness, or a willingness to join in on the festivities with everyone else.

Mr Glyn went onto say: “As far as the type of people coming in, alcohol and heroin are the main ones we are seeing.” With people celebrating with alcohol, it can be very easy for addicts to relapse, and Sands Cymru have been trying to encourage responsible drinking, as well as raising awareness for drink-driving and underage drinking, to hopefully begin dealing with the problem.

In December, an awareness day was held which consisted of meetings for professionals as well as drug users. Chief executive of Cais, Clive Wolfendale has said: “We do get calls. It’s a time for reflection. It’s like an extreme example of a new year’s resolution.”

Cais, and many other drug and alcohol abuse charities have been open over the course of the festive period for any people who needed help.

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