We are a community based project that delivers support and services to the families of substance users across the City of Sunderland. Within Sunderland as a whole it was found that there was a lack of services suitable for parents and carers of drug users and only community forums with a general overview for local residents who were concerned about drug misuse in the area.
People who are parents and carers of drug users often feel ashamed and guilty and therefore do not access services in case friends, other family, or neighbours find out also they may want to keep the fact that someone within the family is using drugs and to ask for help or support can be seen as a weakness. For that reason, this is a project which will recruit local parents/carers in the City of Sunderland and surrounding areas that will then be responsible for supporting other parents/carers in the area. SAPS provides advice, help and support to those affected by substance misuse, either directly as a family member or carer of someone with a drug/alcohol problem.
South Area Parent Support is a company limited by Guarantee that aims to support to parents/carers of drug and alcohol users. SAPS also work to raise awareness in the City of Sunderland and the surrounding areas.