We’d like to tell you about a project we recently set up for crack users in Buckley Hall prison. As far as we know, we are the first to run a crack specific, peer-led program. We wanted to start a program for all those inside who used to use crack, who really want to address their crack use. so crack isn't their first thought on leaving the prison gates. We are ex-users ourselves, so we know what it’s like, feeling down on yourself, seeking help but with no-one there to help.

There are lots of poly users in prison. Prisons deal with the heroin, but not the crack, and that’s worse. People are crying out to address the problem. So four of us got together, Billy, Jason, Shaw and Dave (and later Trenchy), with help from Jaqui (from Piper) and Steve (from the prison) – to write and deliver a program. After the first pilot, Partnership (a branch of Manchester Training and Enterprise) took on overseeing the development of ‘sack the crack’ and provided financial, practical and individual support. We were keen to come to Buckley Hall because of it’s reputation for offering real support around drug use and we are grateful to the prison management for the opportunity to develop ‘sack the crack’. We wanted to help others and ourselves. There is nothing good about crack and we wanted people to know what damage it does to you and help them stay off it.

We spent the first three months researching about crack, to get the background knowledge and developing exercises for the program. Doing the research has given us insight into all the different issues associated with crack use. This process triggered cravings and crack dreams for us at first but we stuck with it and looked out for each other. We went through two days training with TIPPS (Theatre in Prison and Probation). This gave us confidence and skills in group work like how to bring the group together, and drama techniques. Several of the ideas for 'Sack the Crack' came from TIPPs and their input was much appreciated. We weren’t expecting there to be officers doing the training too, but everyone joined in and this broke the barriers down.

We piloted the workshop to three groups of seven ex-crack users. Icebreakers broke the group up and were hilarious whilst relevant to the course and helped people bond. Everyone was relaxed and kept involved. No-one jibbed out for a fag which often happens in groups. Standing in front of the group was scary at first, but once we got going we were confident. When someone one else was up, we couldn’t wait for it to be our turn again. Because it was us doing the facilitating, the lads knew we’ve been there and have got the understanding.

Some exercises were competitions which kept everyone lively and laughing. Another exercise, "Billy's Body" used a life-size Billy (sexy hunk) to draw out the effects and risks associated with crack use. Other parts of the workshop were more theoretical, such as getting people to talk about how they acted and how they felt at different stages of a binge, arriving at a cycle of crack use. We also got the group to explore how/why they got into using and what might tempt them to use in the future. This led into relapse prevention strategies, incorporating drama and sharing of ways to manage cravings. Preparing for the reality of crack availability in Cat D settings and on release was also covered, and information given on crack specific resources in the community.

We wanted to avoid a flipchart approach, and the focus on drama was great in keeping everyone involved and engaging with situations and feelings. In one exercise, participants gradually played out a frozen scene in a crack house, exploring what each person might be saying and feeling in such an environment. In other exercises, participants created and acted out dramas illustrating peer pressure, impact on family, and crime. Characters in these dramas were put on the hot seat, and quizzed by other group members, to find out what was going on for them, both how the character might respond, and then again when the mask of bravado / social expectation is taken off, for an insight into what the person may be really feeling.

Changes in brain chemicals when using crack were described and a personal account of experiencing psychosis got group members joining in, sharing experiences of paranoia and psychosis. When you are using, you don't realize other people's views, you feel you’re on your own, picking crumbs off the carpet, burning holes in the curtains. When the group talks you find things in common. You feel less on your own and realise how far you’d gone. A member of the healthcare staff was available for this session, to answer specialist questions and for back-up. The group as a whole was very supportive, but having healthcare there gave us confidence and provided the option of additional support to participants during or after the course. Each day ended with a relaxation session including meditation, acupuncture and breathing exercises. This allowed participants to wind down, easing any cravings that may have been triggered by discussing crack use, and gave skills in managing cravings.

The workshop got the information across and was a high impact, hard hitting program, but it was also really good fun. I never laughed so much in my life. It brought you down to a level where I thought … I was like that, that was me… then it brought you back up. We have all really enjoyed facilitating the group, and it’s been nice to find we’ve got a skill we never thought we had. I can’t believe we got a project going, and we’re still getting compliments from people saying how good it was. Everyone said how much better it was with us running the course rather than officers, as they were able to talk openly about their previous experiences of crack use, psychosis etc. and know we’d understand. The whole prison is talking about ‘sack the crack’. There’s a buzz around the prison, everyone’s asking when the next one’s running. Hopefully we’ll be able to get the workshop accredited and taken up by other establishments. When we get out we want to be involved in voluntary drug work, and hopefully present the course to lads on community sentences. We have been offered the opportunity to work at Piper in the future and look forward to the opportunity to continue this work on the out.

How it’s affected us:

"If I hadn’t facilitated the workshop I’d have crumbled when I got out… All those people who say a leopard can’t change his spots, just look where I was there and where I am now… it’ll be a real buzz to show them."

"I’ve never really been into anything, never set my mind to or stuck with anything, but I really enjoy what I’m doing now with this crack project…I’ve taken to it like a duck to water and want to continue with it."

"Facilitating and researching this program has given me good insight into psychosis, as I’ve been a sufferer… So listen out all you psychonaughts!"

"It was nice for me to realize I wasn’t on my own with psychosis"

"Before, I didn’t have the confidence to address my problem. It’s something that you put at the back of your mind. Now I feel confident that crack is a thing of the past."


What the group had to say:

"It was all relevant because all I do is think of stone 24/7."

"It has made me realize both the physical and mental effects it has on your body and surroundings"

"I now realize I have been in those situations."

"It made me realize why I gave it up and why I don’t need crack."

"I thought the lads did a great job of putting this program together. It was very beneficial to me."


One participant’s comment made it all worthwhile:

"It was everything I needed to know to help me."


Jason Hinds, Shaw Gallagher, Dave Summerhill, Billy Thorpe, Trenchy