by Jo Sword

For 25 years heroin and cocaine dominated his life. A drug addict, Nick's day consisted of getting his next fix and committing crime.

Now, as part of National Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Week, the 42-year-old has spoken exclusively of his battle to stay clean - and to help others fight their drug demons.

He now lives in a Kenward Trust dry house in Maidstone after undergoing treatment with the charity.

Audio: Hear Nick tell how drugs took a grip on his life

Nick said: "My life two years ago to what it is today is the complete opposite. I was in active addiction in a massive way; I was using 24 hours a day, committing crime and neglecting my family.

"I had a newborn son, which was the turning point in my life. I was arrested and placed in custody. While I was in custody my son turned one and I made a choice to put drugs down, and I did."

Over the past year he has turned his life around and now wants to help others who are suffering drug addictions kick their habits.

He is about to start a college course, saying: "If there had been someone out there while I was using who had been through what I had been through and not just gone to college and read a book, who had been through addiction and suffered they way I have suffered and said to me, look it is possible, I might have listened.

“It’s not all about committing crime, being a menace to society, taking drugs and worrying about number one.

"It is about being pro-active in society, learning to deal with unsolvable problems on life’s terms, I don’t have to use because I can’t deal with a problem any more, I just have to admit that it is unsolvable, and that is good, because I have gained a lot of choices.”

Nick has one simple hope, that his story will spur someone who is suffering addiction to get help. He knows he can’t help everyone, but if he helps just one other person all his work will be worthwhile.

Drug awareness week activities:

The Urban Blue night bus will be at the following locations this week:

• Monday June 8, outside County Hall, Maidstone.
• Tuesday June 9, Cecil Square, Margate.
• WednesdayJune 10, outside St George’s Centre, Gravesend.
• Thursday June 11, Sandgate Road pedestrian precinct, Folkestone.
• Friday June 12, New Dover Road, Canterbury College, Canterbury.

Medway’s new SOS bus will also be out about this week at the following locations:

• Gillingham Town Centre.
• Medway Maritime Hospital
• All Hallows Leisure Park
• Mid Kent College
• Hempstead Valley Shopping centre

For more information about National Tackling Drugs Changing Lives Week click here

For more on the Kent Drug and Alcohol Action Team click here