AFTER it was revealed that drug deaths in South Ayrshire have almost tripled in the last decade, one former drug addict has spoken out about his experiences.

Steven McKenna, told the Ayr AdvertiserAyr Advertiser how he was affected by drug and alcohol problems for 30 years but has turned his life around and is helping addicts get clean.

He said: “I was born in Ayr 48 years ago. From the age of nine I got into drugs and alcohol and for the next 30 years that was the way I lived, if you can call it that.

“For the last nine years I have been living in England as this is where I had to come to to sort out my addiction problems. I was one of the lucky ones as my family was able to afford to send me to Luton for treatment.

“I have since been talking to my friend and reading about the amount of deaths in Ayr lately. In the last month I know a couple of people that have died.

“They may not have died directly from drug overdose but still it would have been a contributing factor.

“There needs to be funding for treatment in Ayr for that in Scotland. The problem is they don’t want to pay it. Drug abuse costs more cash to the community than sending someone to treatment.

“Three months’ treatment at one of the centres I worked for costs £10,000. Yet it costs more to send someone to prison for three months.

“I was on methadone for 16 years. When I told them I didn’t want it any more they tried to give me more. When I came to treatment they were still calling my mother’s house trying to get me to go back.

“Something needs to be done before there is a lot more deaths. No one seems to care if they die.

“I have been trying to move back to Ayr as I have learned a lot about me and addiction. I turned my life around because I found purpose in helping other addicts getting clean. I have contacted drug and alcohol places in Ayr with no joy.”

South Ayrshire’s new Chief Inspector Gary I’Anson is looking to tackle the rise in drugs as a top priority.

He previously said: “Any death is absolutely tragic, so when it does happen it is fully investigated by our specialist officers.

“We are looking to continue thoroughly investigating these issues to identify any new trends to go out to our partners to keep people safe. That is our top priority.”

Steven hopes that one day he will be able to come home to the town he loves to help others and give them hope.