Phoenix Futures drug rehabilitation has teamed up with Partick Thistle FC in a programme of mutual benefit whereby recovering drug addicts gain work experience, training and employability skills whilst the football club gets manual work done that otherwise may be too expensive. Participants have been painting rooms at the club, clearing overgrown bushes behind the club's stands, cooking and a number of other confidence building activities.

Commenting at the first graduation event at Firhill Stadium, Scottish National Party MSP Bob Doris said: "This project is a real win win.

"Phoenix service users have usually lived desperately chaotic lives. The residential rehab programme can transform a persons entire outlook and they usually want to give something back to the community.

"We all know what harm drugs do and what they can turn a person into. When someone takes these courageous steps to free themselves from addiction we need to support them all the way.The turnaround in the lives of these participants is nothing short of moving and is a shining credit to the hard work of Phoenix staff.

"The Partick Thistle Community Engagement Programme is a fantastic partner for Phoenix. Scottish football needs to innovate to keep people both interested in the game and supporting local clubs.

"Talking today to James Douglas, the first person to complete the programme, was an inspiration. James is full of plans for the future. He was entirely open about his experience. James is rightly proud of what he's achieved and I was delighted to have spent some time getting to know him.

"The drug problem in Glasgow is massive but we have to recognise the projects that work, and stick with them. I would urge other football clubs to consider this model, a huge benefit for all."

Kieron Dempsey, Director of the PTFC community engagement programme added: "Our community programme is re-invigorating the club and its support base whilst providing valuable support to vulnerable groups in the local community.

"Phoenix is a fantastic rehab project and we are delighted to have this partnership.

"Partick Thistle is a local team and part of the Maryhill community. We want to use our resource here to benefit the community and I see no more fitting way to do that than to support an organisation that's working to alleviate the area's well known drug addiction problem."

Note:

Bob Doris has lodged the follwiong motion at the Scottish parliament in recognition:

Partick Thistle and Phoenix Futures Graduation
That the Parliament applauds the participants of the Handyperson Project, a partnership between Phoenix Futures drug rehabilitation and Partick Thistle Football Club (PTFC) community initiative programme; notes that the scheme benefits PTFC by helping with a variety of manual jobs at Firhill stadium while the participants gain valuable skills and work experience; welcomes the first graduation from the programme on Tuesday 9 February 2010; recognises the great courage and commitment from participants as they recover from past addiction, and wishes them the best of health and happiness as they look forward to a future free from drugs.