Frank's mum recently died, but he promised her he would go into Rehab. Frank is currently going through the T.H.O.M.A.S. Rehabilitation Programme. I came into T.H.O.M.A.S. from Acklington Prison. I applied to come here three times and was accepted but I got a prison sentence instead of rehab. I was released from jail and after three weeks failed a drugs test so I was recalled on licence. After 2 months the prison officer came to my cell to give back my licence but I refused. There was a bit of uproar but I didn't want to go back to Burnley. I had tried that thirteen times.My Mum had died so I stayed in prison for another twelve weeks.. I was released to T.H.O.M.A.S. and have been here for nine weeks. I work the programme on a daily basis and I can see that my previous life out there was based on lies. Now I feel I am more honest; I have learned so much in so short a time. I know that I have a long way to go but if I stay around and just keep it in the day I know there is a life for me out there.. I like T.H.O.M.A.S. because it's showing me that I have behavioural problems; I believed it was just the addiction, I have used drugs most of my life, but anger and frustration are part of it and the project is helping me with those. I can see the change in me; I wake up every morning with a smile on my face. I had started taking drugs when I was thirteen years old, cannabis, heroin and amphetamines. I started stealing from my Mum's purse and from my family. I was put into a secure unit for lack of education but I kept running away from there. I was taken back into Redbank for eighteen months and released on home tuition for nine months. Then I was set free back into the same circles, back into heroin and crack cocaine. I did a twelve months YP sentence for burglary but within forty-eight hours after release I was back on heroin - I didn't see I was doing wrong. The last sentence was hard; it seemed my body and mind had given up. I was sick and tired and I knew I needed help. I had been given chances and failed. Now I knew it was a longer sentence or death. I asked for help, I worked with the CARATS Team and I was in tears. The last time I had spoken to my Mum on the phone she asked me to get myself into a rehab, she said she could see the good in me but that I was not allowing in to be seen. I'm now working an honest programme, learning every day to show the abilities I know I have and it's the best thing I've ever done in my life. I love it. |
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