Clive Diedrick’s Story 

 This is just a little bit of my life story and about how I came to Penrose, and what treatment I had to go through, and am still going through today. I have used class A drugs for most of my life, it first started when I was a child when I was in hospital. I did not know till I was a teenager that certain drugs could kill pain. Then I started to use drugs. I was using class A drugs, and I wanted to be free from pain full time, but did not know I had a habit with certain drugs I felt better about myself I did not even think about the law. I had to think about how I could make money to sustain my habit, and I did not even think about breaking the law. I have used so many drugs over the last 30 years that I might be called an expert in drugs use. 

 I have been to prison twice for drugs offences and was sent to hospital because of my mental health While in hospital it was felt by the doctors that all of my problems were to do with the drugs I have used in my life. This is not true, and I do not respond to whatever treatment they gave me. While in hospital I had to do lots of group work in order to get out, the main problem was the doctors did not believe me. They did not understand what I was saying, and what I went through at Brixton prison. I have been to prison before and did not feel this way about my health. After I did my time in hospital I was then sent to Penrose and I felt it was time to confront the doctors about what was going on with me.  

The staff at Penrose are so good they go the extra mile to help you, no matter what your problems are. In the time I have been at Penrose I have been able to start rebuilding my life with all the help and training that Penrose offers. I like doing all the things that Penrose has to offer, and I hope I can make a difference to the service users and help other service users, so they can make a contribution to the service users’ movement