A PROJECT to help drug and alcohol addicts and their families has been given a £10,000 cash boost.

The Clean and Sober Living group, a community group in West Cornforth, near Ferryhill, is running the scheme.

It will be located in the Cornforth Partnership building and it will target 25 to 30 people in the Ferryhill area who suffer from an addiction and who may be resorting to crime.

Those being helped will be put in touch with former addicts who are in long-term recovery. They will also attend 50 peer led drug and alcohol support group sessions.

The project will also engage with the addicts’ families to offer an educational training programme which covers topics such as alcoholism and abstinence based recovery.

Addicts will be encouraged to attend larger national groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous too.

Durham County Council’s area action partnership the 4 Together Partnership has given £8,339 in funding for the scheme.

The Cornforth Partnership has given £1,000 and Clean and Sober Living has provided £661.

Sandy Denney, principle AAP co-ordinator, said: “This is a fantastic project which will benefit so many families.

“Crime and community safety is a priority for the partnership and this scheme will certainly make a difference.”

For more information about the project contact the 4 Together Partnership on 03000-267211 or email fouraap@durham.gov.uk