Abbey marks achievements of DrugFAM

DrugFAM provides safe, caring and professional support to families, friends and carers who are struggling to cope with the nightmare of someone else’s addiction.

The service was attended by the Home Secretary, the Right Honourable Amber Rudd.

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who said in his Bidding:

We gather in this ancient church which has seen many occasions through its long history of sadness and gladness to recall the bane and blessing of the availability of drugs. We know the blessing of the relief from suffering provided by drug therapy; and we know of the bane of drugs that are abused.

As we remember incidents of the abuse of drugs and acknowledge the damage and havoc they can wreak, especially in young lives and families, we shall pray for all who have committed themselves to avert drug misuse, to prevent drug addiction and to aid the recovery of those who have become addicted.

We shall rededicate ourselves, and all who can join with us, in a commitment to enabling every human being to live with dignity, to be respected, to fulfil their potential. We shall honour the humanity of each person made in the image of God.

Testimonies were read by Sarah Bromfield, a family member affected by addiction, and the Reverend Graeme Skinner, a family member bereaved by addiction.