'We didn't know identity of girl' (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

'We didn't know identity of girl'

Ref. 29190-18THE Salvation Army has strongly rebuffed claims that its drug and alcohol rehab unit in Highworth is a risk to the community.

Gloucester House - a residential centre for people with severe addictions has been criticised by the parents of Kate Walsh.

Kate, 16, died from a suspected heroin overdose two years after becoming involved with an older man who was being treated there.

She was found dead in a squat in Manchester Road in January, 10 months after leaving home to be with her 27-year-old boyfriend.

Her grieving parents, Debbie and Anthony Walsh, say that the heart of a busy market town where teenagers hang out in the evenings is the wrong place for the centre.

Last year, the couple started a petition calling for it to be moved.

Mr Walsh, 45, of Eastview Terrace, Highworth, said: "We are not against rehabilitation centres.

"But it would be far more appropriate for it to be on farmland where residents could get their lives back together in private."

Salvation Army spokesman Dorian Edwards said that the unit which has 12 places has operated in Highworth for 40 years without any problems.

He said: "We are strictly regulated, but this is not a prison, and residents are not manacled.

"People who come here want to be helped, and value being part of the community.

"If centres like this are located in the middle of nowhere, residents are made to feel like everyone is against them."

He said that residents give something back to the community by offering services, such as making picture frames in the centre's workshop.

Centre manager David Day added: "Just because people have drug problems it does not mean they prey on young girls.

"People who come to us do so because they want to change their lives.

"They have often suffered a significant amount of trauma and need help.

"We are part of the solution, not part of the problem."

The Walshes also claim that many Highworth residents were unaware the centre took in drug addicts as well as people with alcohol problems.

A drug treatment program was started in 2000. Mr Day said that the decision to admit addicts was discussed with a community liaison group, which meets four times a year to discuss the running of the centre.

Another criticism levelled by the Walshes was that staff had not told them that Kate was involved with a resident.

Mr Walsh was so incensed by this that last year he confronted staff and smashed a window.

He was charged with causing criminal damage, and fined £500.

But Mr Day said that none of his staff knew the identity of the local girl.

The man was ordered to leave when staff became aware of the relationship.

The rules have now been changed so that any resident found be having an inappropriate relationship with anyone in Highworth will have to leave.

Mr Day added that the centre is closely monitored by the Swindon Drug and Alcohol Action Team.

Residents have to give regular urine tests to ensure they are drug free.

Last year, 58 addicts were treated, of which around 20 are believed to have conquered their problems.

Tamash Lal