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Lottery cash to help drugs and alcohol victims
South Wales Evening Post - 27 May 1999
Victims of drug and alcohol abuse in Neath are to get extra help
thanks to a cash boost from the National Lottery.
West Glamorgan Council On Alcohol And Drug Abuse has netted £329,082
in grant aid from the National Lottery Charities Board. The windfall
will be used to set up and fund an abstinence centre in Neath town
centre for people with drug and alcohol related problems.
Norman Preddy, director of Swansea based West Glamorgan Council
On Alcohol And Drug Abuse, said the grant would make a "world
of difference" to clients living in Neath.
"We've had a presence in Neath for many years," he said
"But we've never had a base of our own.
"Now we can look for suitable premises, and will be able to
provide a full range of services for people with drugs and drink
problems and their families.
This is a large pay-out, and it will make a world of difference."
The Neath unit currently operates from a basement office in probation
service premises at London Road.
Mr Preddy said the situation is far from idea, but thanks to the
Lottery windfall, he hopes things will get better.
The windfall - spread over three years - will fund the purchase,
refurbishing and equipping of suitable premises in Neath town centre.
The grant will also fund salaries, general running costs, maintenance,
administration and the production of education and training information
for the service.
"Our first priority is to purchase a building, and we've already
contacted local estate agents towards this end," said Mr Preddy.
He quoted "team effort" as being the secret ingredient
of their Lottery success.
"We had a team of people, including representatives of the
Health Authority, social services and Neath Port Talbot Council,
working together to produce this bid.
"It was a joint effort over many months, and that has obviously
paid dividends."
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