Please Help Save the Release Helpline.

Release, a small campaigning charity, provides a national advice telephone helpline. Advice is provided in relation to drugs and the law.  Unfortunatly Release is struggling to keep up with the costs of this Helpline, and as a result its closure is looking iminent.  They really need your help! Maybe you have been helped by Release before, or god forbid you may need their help one day in the future - so please spare some of your money to help them.  The government (no surprise here) are unwilling to give Release any funding - ALTHOUGH their own helpline FRANK regularly diverts callers to the release helpline as they do not have the expertise or knowledge to answer callers questions themselves.

Without new funding the helpline is sure to close.  Please help save the helpline!

For more details about the Release helpline service I have copied this information from their website:

Legal Helpline

The legal helpline is staffed by qualified lawyers, paralegals and trained volunteers, who will provide information and advice to the public and professionals. Legal advice is provided on criminal matters; drugs classification; anti social behaviour orders; legal issues pertinent to drugs users such as travelling with prescribed controlled drugs, the impact of criminal convictions and cautions, drug use and its impact on driving requirements. Advice can also be provided on other legal issues — if the legal team cannot assist you with your enquiry, they will provide details of other services that can.

Representation is not a service offered through the helpline although in some cases where there are issues of public law arising, Release will be able to refer you to lawyers who specialise in this area.

Drugs Helpline

Our drug services are managed and run by a team of specialist advisors assisted by trained volunteers.

The drugs team provides help, advice, information, support and referral to people affected directly and indirectly by drug use.

We are here to help you. You will be listened to and we will always do our best to give you the appropriate amount of time and most relevant advice for your individual enquiry.

Your inquiry will be dealt with by someone who understands the issues facing drug users and their family and friends, so you need not feel alone in this. We can link you up with different types of support groups and if you are having difficulty getting treatment, we can help liaise with your local service or GP.

We provide essential support for professionals and for members of the public who may feel isolated and anxious about a drug-related problem.

Our aim is to allow people to make informed decisions with confidence.

The drugs team provides support and advice on a range of issues including advice on the effects on drugs; harm reduction; matters involving drug dependency; different types of treatment including maintenance prescribing and abstinence.

The drugs team is headed up by one of the UK’s leading experts on all issues relating to heroin use.

 The helpline is open from 11am—1pm & 2pm—4pm Monday to Friday.