this is bbc news. the headlines: russia is intensifying its attacks on ukraine's donbas region, as its forces advance on the battlefield in the south and east of the country, after suffering weeks of setbacks since their invasion in february. the last few ukrainian defenders of mariupol are finally ending their resistance. polls are open in australia's general election, with the opposition labor party hoping to end nine years of conservative rule. voters will choose between the incumbent scott morrison and his rival, the labor leader, anthony albanese. whoever wins has tough challenges ahead, including the cost of living and climate change. the world health organization has convened a meeting to discuss the global rise in monkeypox infections. more than 100 cases have been reported across 11 countries outside africa, where

it's most common. the disease typically spreads through close contact. now on bbc news — addiction: the road to recovery. cocaine is a devil, to be fair. this is a story of drugs and booze and addiction. i this is a story of drugs and booze and addiction. i think with addiction _ booze and addiction. i think with addiction the _ booze and addiction. i think with addiction the end - booze and addiction. i think| with addiction the end result for anybody is death or imprisoned. it for anybody is death or imprisoned.— for anybody is death or imprisoned. for anybody is death or imrisoned. , , ., , ., imprisoned. it is the story of the fi . ht imprisoned. it is the story of the fight to _ imprisoned. it is the story of the fight to get _ imprisoned. it is the story of the fight to get clean - imprisoned. it is the story of the fight to get clean for- the fight to get clean for those living the edge. generally, seriously, one slip would kill me, because i'd feel like there would be no going back. at a time when drug and alcohol

deaths are soaring, something has to change. i simply hope that people will who have been treated rather like lepers are now on a journey— like lepers are now on a journey which treats them as people — journey which treats them as people with a health condition and that— people with a health condition and that they have hope that it can be — and that they have hope that it can be better. hello. mike? jeremy. didn't recognise — hello. mike? jeremy. didn't recognise you _ hello. mike? jeremy. didn't recognise you with - hello. mike? jeremy. didn't recognise you with your - hello. mike? jeremy. didn't. recognise you with your mask on. recognise you with your mask on, , ., ., ., , recognise you with your mask on. .,, recognise you with your mask on. ., , it's recognise you with your mask| on-_ it's early on. good to see you. it's early may 2021- _ on. good to see you. it's early may 2021. come _ on. good to see you. it's early may 2021. come on, - on. good to see you. it's early may 2021. come on, we'll- on. good to see you. it's early| may 2021. come on, we'll have on. good to see you. it's early i may 2021. come on, we'll have a seat. may 2021. come on, we'll have a seat- and _ may 2021. come on, we'll have a seat- and i'm — may 2021. come on, we'll have a seat. and i'm meeting _ may 2021. come on, we'll have a seat. and i'm meeting mike. - seat. and i'm meeting mike. look younger— seat. and i'm meeting mike. look younger in _ seat. and i'm meeting mike. look younger in person -

seat. and i'm meeting mike. look younger in person than | look younger in person than on... a mr bleich your grandad. yeah. ~ ., on... a mr bleich your grandad. yeah. ~ . , , ., on... a mr bleich your grandad. yeah. ~ . , ., ., yeah. we have spoken before on zoom, yeah. we have spoken before on zoom. so — yeah. we have spoken before on zoom. so a _ yeah. we have spoken before on zoom. so a no — yeah. we have spoken before on zoom, so a no he _ yeah. we have spoken before on zoom, so a no he has _ yeah. we have spoken before on zoom, so a no he has plenty - yeah. we have spoken before on zoom, so a no he has plenty of. zoom, so a no he has plenty of troubles. it is now time for a brew. ., troubles. it is now time for a brew. . ., , troubles. it is now time for a brew-_ time i troubles. it is now time for a l brew._ time for brew. thanks, lovely. time for more detail. _ brew. thanks, lovely. time for more detail. one _ brew. thanks, lovely. time for more detail. one needs - brew. thanks, lovely. time for more detail. one needs to - brew. thanks, lovely. time for| more detail. one needs to have a drink cocaine _ more detail. one needs to have a drink cocaine would _ more detail. one needs to have a drink cocaine would come - more detail. one needs to have a drink cocaine would come andj a drink cocaine would come and it had. a survey piedt and i would be wanting to get a bag. the mike i'm meeting today is a different person. you could say a lucky person. is managed to get off the booze and drugs, even as the death rates from both are rising across the country. deaths associated with cocaine have increased fivefold since 2010 and many of the victims are young men, like mike. , , , , ., mike. this is 'ust showing eo - le, mike. this is 'ust showing people. the _ mike. this isjust showing people, the love - mike. this isjust showing people, the love and - mike. this isjust showing people, the love and carej mike. this isjust showing i people, the love and care for me, and also showing me myself that they needed to make a change. that they needed to make a chance. ., , ., change. for the next year i will be seeing _ change. for the next year i will be seeing a _ change. for the next year i will be seeing a loss - change. for the next year i will be seeing a loss of- change. for the next year i will be seeing a loss of my| change. for the next year i i will be seeing a loss of my de is invited me to follow his

progress as he works to rebuild his life. ithink progress as he works to rebuild his life. i think you knows it is going to be tough. it also get the sense is determined to become a better person, better partner, betterson, and become a better person, better partner, better son, and a better dad.— partner, better son, and a better dad. ~ ., ., ~ better dad. when i got a drink i'd 'ust better dad. when i got a drink i'd just turn — better dad. when i got a drink i'd just turn into _ better dad. when i got a drink i'd just turn into this - better dad. when i got a drink i'd just turn into this person . i'd just turn into this person that people didn't want to be around, didn't want to associate with. aggressive? yeah, aggressive, nasty, narcissistic as well, i would really say. narcissistic as well, i would really say-— narcissistic as well, i would - really say._ violence, really say. violence? violence, eah, really say. violence? violence, yeah, definitely. _ really say. violence? violence, yeah, definitely. that's- really say. violence? violence, yeah, definitely. that's a - really say. violence? violence, yeah, definitely. that's a real. yeah, definitely. that's a real dull moment for me. and a real moment that identical want to see again. nightingale's is a great place for a coffee and a bite, but as we will be finding out, for hundreds of people like mike is way more than that. it's helped turn his life around and there is no going back. if you did have a slip, would one slip be a catastrophe? yeah. . ., ., ~ yeah. once that would kill me.

seriously? _ yeah. once that would kill me. seriously? seriously. _ seriously? seriously. generally, _ seriously? seriously. generally, seriously, j seriously? seriously. - generally, seriously, one slip would kill me, because i would feel that there would be no going back. broken promises again, this is a thing they have tried to understand with the academy about finding your values, your core values. to me that's a scary. — values, your core values. to me that's a scary, because - values, your core values. to me that's a scary, because you're i that's a scary, because you're setting your own bar so high, you are incredibly tough on yourself. you are incredibly tough on yourself-— you are incredibly tough on ourself. ., , ., ., , yourself. yeah, you need to be, ou yourself. yeah, you need to be, you need _ yourself. yeah, you need to be, you need to _ yourself. yeah, you need to be, you need to be _ yourself. yeah, you need to be, you need to be disciplined. - yourself. yeah, you need to be, you need to be disciplined. and| you need to be disciplined. and if i'm not a disciplined eye will fall. flat if i'm not a disciplined eye will fall-— if i'm not a disciplined eye willfall. �* �* ~' ., ~ ~' will fall. at birkenhead, mike is not the _ will fall. at birkenhead, mike is not the only _ will fall. at birkenhead, mike is not the only one _ will fall. at birkenhead, mike is not the only one who - will fall. at birkenhead, mike is not the only one who has l is not the only one who has been struggling. just across the mersey from liverpool, this full force of the 1980s recession, as it shipyards failed unemployment rose and heroin and other drugs took hold. birkenhead is a deprived area, this sort of place we know can be especially dry —— vulnerable to drug and alcohol problems. but this is a community which is fighting back. and here at birkenhead

they came up with this concept of a recovery village. what is that i'm a recovery village? there are already loads of different services here working to help people struggling with addiction, but now they are working together in much closer cooperation so the rehab hub, the recovery cafe down here, and the place where groups meet for mutual support where they call it they are all working on really close co—ordination to get people off the drink and off the drugs. it get people off the drink and off the drugs.— off the drugs. it is organisations - off the drugs. it is i organisations coming off the drugs. it 3 organisations coming together as a collector of on the wirral to work with a kind of shared goal. 50 to work with a kind of shared oal. ., , to work with a kind of shared coal. ., , , goal. so we will do this test view today- _ goal. so we will do this test view today. one _ goal. so we will do this test view today. one of - goal. so we will do this test view today. one of the i goal. so we will do this test | view today. one of the main -la ers view today. one of the main players for _ view today. one of the main players for this _ view today. one of the main players for this is _ view today. one of the main players for this is where i players for this is where always drug and alcohol service, and they right at the heart of the recovery. is service, and they right at the heart of the recovery.- heart of the recovery. is not 'ust heart of the recovery. is not just another _ heart of the recovery. is not just another person - heart of the recovery. is not just another person that i heart of the recovery. is not just another person that is l just another person that is coming in, it is an individual and that individual has their own needs, there is self defined goals, and we are there to support that person to connect them with the community, to reconnect them. in the recovery village it is a

no wrong door policy. the idea is that anyone approaching any of the services gets help or gets linked up with another team who are more matched to their needs. team who are more matched to their needs-— their needs. feeling ok? no problems— their needs. feeling ok? no problems with _ their needs. feeling ok? no problems with this _ their needs. feeling ok? no problems with this last? i their needs. feeling ok? no problems with this last? so | problems with this last? so here, prisons, a heroin addict gets a specialist drug to reduce cravings. there is emotional support for the most vulnerable. it emotional support for the most vulnerable-— vulnerable. it will be something _ vulnerable. it will be something you i vulnerable. it will be something you have| vulnerable. it will be i something you have been vulnerable. it will be _ something you have been through something you have been through some form of assault, so was he actually out of prison now? find actually out of prison now? and even advice _ actually out of prison now? and even advice on _ actually out of prison now? and even advice on housing. we i actually out of prison now? and| even advice on housing. we will hel ou even advice on housing. we will help you move. _ even advice on housing. we will help you move, get _ even advice on housing. we will help you move, get you - even advice on housing. we will help you move, get you some i help you move, get you some money, gas and electric, to start you off stock you will be safe, you will.— safe, you will. it's all a response _ safe, you will. it's all a response to _ safe, you will. it's all a response to just i safe, you will. it's all a response to just how i safe, you will. it's all a i response to just how many people desperately need help. the stats are grim, deaths from alcohol and drugs are high and rising. the worst figures ever recorded. what about your recovery, mike woods makes a recovery, mike woods makes a recovery for me, as you know,

is vital, so bright is the first thing you think of every morning. still? still. it will never change. it is early morning and i'm catching up with mike outside the recovery centre. , , ., , centre. this is where are used to drink- _ centre. this is where are used to drink. that _ centre. this is where are used to drink. that places - centre. this is where are used to drink. that places the i to drink. that places the devil, the _ to drink. that places the devil, the devil. - to drink. that places the i devil, the devil. honestly? honestly- _ devil, the devil. honestly? honestly. it _ devil, the devil. honestly? honestly. it can _ devil, the devil. honestly? honestly. it can be - devil, the devil. honestly? honestly. it can be like i devil, the devil. honestly? | honestly. it can be like this everyone — honestly. it can be like this everyone for— honestly. it can be like this everyone for coming i honestly. it can be like this everyone for coming out i honestly. it can be like this everyone for coming out of| everyone for coming out of addiction. temptation can feel ever present. for mike it is just across the road, birkenhead's bars and pubs and nightclubs just birkenhead's bars and pubs and nightclubsjust steps birkenhead's bars and pubs and nightclubs just steps away. it depends on what side of history you want to be on, doesn't it? when you look over there is there any temptation? trio. when you look over there is there any temptation? no, 'ust discussed. fl there any temptation? no, 'ust discussed, more i there any temptation? no, 'ust discussed, more than i there any temptation? no, just| discussed, more than anything. really? really. i'mjust really? really. i'm just like... really? really. i'mjust like... eight got a flashback of ben king by a bouncer because they was pierced or something. and overthinking what we thinking? you are very positive. you've got to be. you have to be. positive. you've got to be. you have to toe-— have to be. laughter. is everyone _ have to be. laughter. is everyone ok? i have to be. laughter. is everyone ok? yeah. | have to be. laughter. | is everyone ok? yeah. i have to be. laughter. - is everyone ok? yeah. i want to know more — is everyone ok? yeah. i want to know more about _ is everyone ok? yeah. i want to

know more about how— is everyone ok? yeah. i want to know more about how all- is everyone ok? yeah. i want to know more about how all of- is everyone ok? yeah. i want to know more about how all of this j know more about how all of this work. how, with support, addiction can be overcome. it makes me feel stronger when it makes me feel stronger when i don't given to that temptation. upstairs in nightingale's _ temptation. upstairs in nightingale's they i temptation. upstairs inj nightingale's they have temptation. upstairs in i nightingale's they have been invited for a unique insight, a close—up look into the engine room of recovery. it’s close-up look into the engine room of recovery. it's showing ou that room of recovery. it's showing you that you — room of recovery. it's showing you that you can _ room of recovery. it's showing you that you can enjoy - room of recovery. it's showing you that you can enjoy life i you that you can enjoy life without substances and yet in the eyes of addiction you can't see that, can you?— the eyes of addiction you can't see that, can you? everyone he has chosen to _ see that, can you? everyone he has chosen to step _ see that, can you? everyone he has chosen to step away i has chosen to step away from the chaos of addiction. find has chosen to step away from the chaos of addiction. and how do ou the chaos of addiction. and how do you feel _ the chaos of addiction. and how do you feel when _ the chaos of addiction. and how do you feel when you _ the chaos of addiction. and how do you feel when you get i do you feel when you get feelings like that, do you feel stronger? shill feelings like that, do you feel stron . er? �* feelings like that, do you feel stronger?_ they | stronger? all the time. they have all completed - stronger? all the time. they have all completed a - stronger? all the time. they have all completed a 3-step| have all completed a 3—step rehab programme. it have all completed a 3-step rehab programme.- have all completed a 3-step rehab programme. it gives us a choice that _ rehab programme. it gives us a choice that we _ rehab programme. it gives us a choice that we can _ rehab programme. it gives us a choice that we can be _ rehab programme. it gives us a choice that we can be the i rehab programme. it gives us a choice that we can be the best| choice that we can be the best possible person that we wanted to be. �* possible person that we wanted tobe. ., ., to be. and today my's “oining the ranks * to be. and today my's “oining the ranks of i to be. and today my's joining the ranks of graduates. i to be. and today my's joining the ranks of graduates. you i the ranks of graduates. you very much for that. he has come a long way since his darkest days. a long way since his darkest da s. ~ , ., a long way since his darkest da s. g . ., ., ,

a long way since his darkest da s. g . ., ., days. my mental health was at rock bottom. _ days. my mental health was at rock bottom. overtaking i days. my mental health was at i rock bottom. overtaking anxiety rock bottom. 0vertaking anxiety and depression pills and drinking and using on top of that. going to cut a circle around the — going to cut a circle around the base _ going to cut a circle around the loase— going to cut a circle around the base. this is the spider tro'ect, the base. this is the spider project, another _ the base. this is the spider project, another part i the base. this is the spider project, another part of- the base. this is the spider project, another part of the recovery village, it has been around for decades.- recovery village, it has been around for decades. we're going to do visualisation _ around for decades. we're going to do visualisation between i around for decades. we're going to do visualisation between the l to do visualisation between the two of you. it to do visualisation between the two of you-— two of you. it is nice to do it with some _ two of you. it is nice to do it with some help. _ two of you. it is nice to do it with some help. activities . two of you. it is nice to do it l with some help. activities and classes to _ with some help. activities and classes to fill _ with some help. activities and classes to fill the _ with some help. activities and classes to fill the void - with some help. activities and classes to fill the void when i classes to fill the void when drugs and alcohol are history. be patient. it drugs and alcohol are history. be patient-— be patient. it leaves a gap in our be patient. it leaves a gap in your life- _ be patient. it leaves a gap in your life. it's _ be patient. it leaves a gap in your life. it's about - be patient. it leaves a gap in your life. it's about filling i your life. it's about filling that — your life. it's about filling that gap. your life. it's about filling that gap-— your life. it's about filling that gap. you do feel very alone. you _ that gap. you do feel very alone. you feel— that gap. you do feel very alone. you feel like i that gap. you do feel very alone. you feel like you i that gap. you do feel very l alone. you feel like you are the — alone. you feel like you are the only— alone. you feel like you are the only one _ alone. you feel like you are the only one in _ alone. you feel like you are the only one in the - alone. you feel like you are the only one in the world i alone. you feel like you are i the only one in the world that it has— the only one in the world that it has actually— the only one in the world that it has actually happened i the only one in the world that it has actually happened too. | the only one in the world that. it has actually happened too. at it has actually happened too. lot of what they do here is peer to peer support. many volunteers and staff have lived through addiction themselves and they are now helping

others. jennifer works as a co—ordinator. others. jennifer works as a co-ordinator._ others. jennifer works as a co-ordinator. i'm in recovery myself- _ co-ordinator. i'm in recovery myself- l'm _ co-ordinator. i'm in recovery myself- m a _ co-ordinator. i'm in recovery myself. i'm a recovery i co-ordinator. i'm in recovery myself. i'm a recovery -- - myself. i'm a recovery —— recovering alcoholic. there is nothing worse having doors close on you, think the most visitors doors because of the close, close, close. in in desperation, if i'm not constantly working, could be back there in an instant. even if someone is still drinking and using we're not going just kick them out, are going to make sure they get the necessary help to move them on, just giving people hope that they are no longer alone. you remember when you are in that— you remember when you are in that position, yet isolated yourself. it's good to give something back.- something back. this is community _ something back. this is community self-help. l something back. this is community self-help. i| something back. this is - community self-help. i wouldn't be where i _ community self-help. i wouldn't be where i am _ community self-help. i wouldn't be where i am right _ community self-help. i wouldn't be where i am right now - community self-help. i wouldn't be where i am right now if - community self-help. i wouldn't be where i am right now if theyl be where i am right now if they hadn't had peers around me, if they had not had people who were so willing to share their experience, their knowledge, and make me feel that i wasn't alone. and it can be a matter of life and death, can't it? you see that time and time again. it is pretty staggering

how many people who have lived through the crisis then want to pass the experience and their help on to others. it's really good to see. help on to others. it's really good to see-— help on to others. it's really good to see. the people there that are struggling _ good to see. the people there that are struggling with - good to see. the people there that are struggling with their. that are struggling with their mental health are not being able to have that day—to—day contact... i able to have that day-to-day contact - -_ contact... i am bafta see it mike. contact... i am bafta see it we none _ contact... i am bafta see it mike. none of— contact... i am bafta see it mike. none of this - contact... i am bafta see it mike. none of this recovery| mike. none of this recovery stuff is easy. but at least he is getting support. here at nightingale's and at home as well. i nightingale's and at home as well. . ., ~ ., ., , well. i have got like a really aood well. i have got like a really good network _ well. i have got like a really good network of _ well. i have got like a really good network of support - well. i have got like a really - good network of support around me. , , ., good network of support around me. �* , ., ., , good network of support around me. , , ., ., , , me. just going to bring it up. here is hannah, _ me. just going to bring it up. here is hannah, your- me. just going to bring it up. | here is hannah, your partner. how has mike been, have you noticed he has been a bit stressed out?— noticed he has been a bit stressed out? . ., , , stressed out? yeah, he has been stressed out? yeah, he has been stressed out. _ stressed out? yeah, he has been stressed out, but _ stressed out? yeah, he has been stressed out, but it's _ stressed out? yeah, he has been stressed out, but it's like - stressed out, but it's like bound _ stressed out, but it's like bound to happen, isn't it, with what's — bound to happen, isn't it, with what's going on with this situation, but he has been amazing _ situation, but he has been amazing. he is still amazing and — amazing. he is still amazing and is — amazing. he is still amazing and is doing amazing. and it's not making him go back to what he was, — not making him go back to what he was, but is going forward and — he was, but is going forward and still_ he was, but is going forward and still doing everything he can —

and still doing everything he can so. _ and still doing everything he can. so, yeah, is ok. yeah. 30 can. so, yeah, is ok. yeah. so it is the — can. so, yeah, is ok. yeah. sr it is the repetitive cycle. it is only when we are out of that mad is that we can recognise that. i that mad is that we can recognise that.- that mad is that we can recognise that. that mad is that we can recounise that. .. ~ ~ recognise that. i can feel mike curowin recognise that. i can feel mike growing in _ recognise that. i can feel mike growing in confidence. - recognise that. i can feel mike growing in confidence. he - recognise that. i can feel mike growing in confidence. he is l recognise that. i can feel mike growing in confidence. he is a | growing in confidence. he is a new volunteer doing peer support. new volunteer doing peer sunport-_ new volunteer doing peer su ort. , ., , ., support. there is no shame in admitting _ support. there is no shame in admitting you _ support. there is no shame in admitting you have _ support. there is no shame in admitting you have a - support. there is no shame in admitting you have a problemj admitting you have a problem with drugs and/or alcohol. the same is when you don't really have a problem. he same is when you don't really have a problem.— same is when you don't really have a problem. he is sharing his stories _ have a problem. he is sharing his stories in _ have a problem. he is sharing his stories in a _ have a problem. he is sharing his stories in a presentation i his stories in a presentation to others. his stories in a presentation to others-— his stories in a presentation to others. . , ., , to others. the last time i was arrested was _ to others. the last time i was arrested was in _ to others. the last time i was arrested was in february - to others. the last time i was i arrested was in february 2020. this was a couple of weeks before i started.— this was a couple of weeks before i started. this pro'ect came about i before i started. this pro'ect came about with i before i started. this pro'ect came about with my i before i started. this project| came about with my process, looking — came about with my process, looking at _ came about with my process, looking at how written exercises can tell our story of addiction _ exercises can tell our story of addiction and how important it is to— addiction and how important it is to society and what society needs — is to society and what society needs to _ is to society and what society needs to learn about addiction and raise _ needs to learn about addiction and raise awareness.- needs to learn about addiction and raise awareness. caira is a professional. _ and raise awareness. caira is a professional, but, _ and raise awareness. caira is a professional, but, you - and raise awareness. caira is a professional, but, you know, l professional, but, you know, mike is not bad about this either. i mike is not bad about this either. . , ., .,

mike is not bad about this either. ., ., ., either. i was in for a long, lona either. i was in for a long, long time. _ either. i was in for a long, long time, then _ either. i was in for a long, long time, then i - either. i was in for a long, long time, then i had - either. i was in for a long, long time, then i had a i either. i was in for a long, - long time, then i had a moment longtime, then i had a moment that didn't want to this person anymore. that didn't want to this person an more. ~ ~' , that didn't want to this person an more. ~ ~ , , ., , anymore. mike tells the story of a rock _ anymore. mike tells the story of a rock bottom _ anymore. mike tells the story of a rock bottom moment, . of a rock bottom moment, another rest, another police cell, a realisation something had to change. it cell, a realisation something had to change.— cell, a realisation something had to change. it was a relief that i had to change. it was a relief that i was — had to change. it was a relief that i was not _ had to change. it was a relief that i was not the _ had to change. it was a relief that i was not the only - had to change. it was a relief| that i was not the only person who had always struggling with addiction and it gives me the drive to carry on moving forward with my sobriety. they accepted i had a problem and this is my story, thank you. nightingales his volunteering hasn't — nightingales his volunteering hasn't gone unnoticed and guess what? _ hasn't gone unnoticed and guess what? he— hasn't gone unnoticed and guess what? . , . ., . ., hasn't gone unnoticed and guess what? . ., . ., ., what? he has the chance of a 'ob here what? he has the chance of a job here at — what? he has the chance of a job here at recovery - what? he has the chance of a job here at recovery care. - what? he has the chance of a job here at recovery care. wej job here at recovery care. we are here again but you have a dress like that for a cup of tea, have you?— dress like that for a cup of tea, have you? i've got a 'ob interview. �* tea, have you? i've got a 'ob interview. ford tea, have you? i've got a 'ob interview. for a d tea, have you? i've got a 'ob interview. for a recovery h interview. for a recovery co-ordinator, _ interview. for a recovery co-ordinator, recovery i interview. for a recovery - co-ordinator, recovery support co—ordinator, recovery support co—ordinator, recovery support co—ordinator 30 nine opiate steam. i co-ordinator 30 nine opiate steam. �* ., steam. i didn't get to where i am overnight. _ steam. i didn't get to where i am overnight. i _ steam. i didn't get to where i am overnight. i can _ steam. i didn't get to where i am overnight. i can tell - steam. i didn't get to where i am overnight. i can tell you l am overnight. i can tell you that right now and i didn't do it without no sweats, cries or

heartache. so lemma, excited and nervous but give it my all, really. fit. and nervous but give it my all, reall . �* , . and nervous but give it my all, reall . �* . ~ ~ really. a few days later, mike called. really. a few days later, mike called- he — really. a few days later, mike called. he got _ really. a few days later, mike called. he got the _ really. a few days later, mike called. he got the job! - really. a few days later, mike called. he got the job! ok, i called. he got thejob! ok, it's temporary, but after years of booze, cocaine and oppression, it's proper, paid work. watching his progress is dave. i work. watching his progress is dave. . dave. i am getting antidepressants. l dave. i am getting - antidepressants. himself recovering alcoholic. it's a long journey. recovering alcoholic. it's a longjourney. i recovering alcoholic. it's a long journey. i am 23 years in recovery. i believe in recovery and always will be. i haven't beat it. i haven't picked up a drink in 23 years. next tuesday, only three years was the last time i drank. you measure it to the day? absolutely, yes. there is plenty in birkenhead who regard dave as a lifesaver. he has been there and done it. nice to

hold onto _ been there and done it. nice to hold onto where _ been there and done it. nice to hold onto where i _ been there and done it. nice to hold onto where i was - been there and done it. nice to hold onto where i was and - been there and done it. nice to| hold onto where i was and what i've got now. he hold onto where i was and what i've got now-— i've got now. he commands resect i've got now. he commands respect because _ i've got now. he commands respect because he - i've got now. he commands respect because he cares i i've got now. he commands| respect because he cares for people like mike. ii respect because he cares for people like mike.— people like mike. if it's obvious _ people like mike. if it's obvious he _ people like mike. if it's obvious he was - people like mike. if it's obvious he was a - people like mike. if it's i obvious he was a different person than when you speak to him because he was in pain. you could see it. he couldn't necessarily look you in the eyes, you know. he was kind of talking to you, sat down —— head down, once you put all these things in place and get a hold of this, and making those changes, he started to lift his head up, he looked at you when head up, he looked at you when he talked to you, started to like himself more. he didn't like himself more. he didn't like himself. a lot of people who come to these things don't. you are guiding on the path i am on— you are guiding on the path i am onand— you are guiding on the path i am on and you are sorely missed _ am on and you are sorely missed-— missed. it's autumn. a milestone. _

missed. it's autumn. a milestone. she - missed. it's autumn. a milestone. she never. missed. it's autumn. a i milestone. she never let missed. it's autumn. a - milestone. she never let it get her down- _ milestone. she never let it get her down- it — milestone. she never let it get her down. it was _ milestone. she never let it get her down. it was lonely. - milestone. she never let it get her down. it was lonely. the . her down. it was lonely. the last two _ her down. it was lonely. the last two months _ her down. it was lonely. the last two months were. - her down. it was lonely. the last two months were. the l her down. it was lonely. the i last two months were. the two months, last two months were. the two months. eight _ last two months were. the two months, eight weeks, - last two months were. the two months, eight weeks, yes. - last two months were. the two i months, eight weeks, yes. there was a hospital— months, eight weeks, yes. there was a hospital bird _ months, eight weeks, yes. there was a hospital bird here. - months, eight weeks, yes. there was a hospital bird here. mike i was a hospital bird here. mike was a hospital bird here. mike was mike mum would have been 68 today. she had secondary breast cancer and died at home five is ago. a massive blow for a young man. it ago. a massive blow for a young man. ., y ago. a massive blow for a young man. ., , . ., , man. it went from my dad to my mum and _ man. it went from my dad to my mum and sister. _ man. it went from my dad to my mum and sister. dave _ man. it went from my dad to my mum and sister. dave and - man. it went from my dad to my mum and sister. dave and mike | mum and sister. dave and mike are here for _ mum and sister. dave and mike are here for his _ mum and sister. dave and mike are here for his mother's - are here for his mother's birthday and to to visit her grave. birthday and to to visit her rave. ,., �* ., birthday and to to visit her rave. �* ., ., i. grave. don't let go, do you? margaret — grave. don't let go, do you? margaret was _ grave. don't let go, do you? margaret was a _ grave. don't let go, do you? margaret was a big - grave. don't let go, do you? margaret was a big fan, - grave. don't let go, do you? margaret was a big fan, i i grave. don't let go, do you? | margaret was a big fan, i dug lower and dedicated man with a passion forfamily life. for passion for family life. for mike, passion forfamily life. for mike, it's a time of sadness but also some regrets. you knew it was coming — but also some regrets. you knew it was coming but _ but also some regrets. you knew it was coming but i _ but also some regrets. you knew it was coming but i don't - but also some regrets. you knew it was coming but i don't think i it was coming but i don't think i was the best person to be around when it happened because i was in the madness. that

around when it happened because i was in the madness.— i was in the madness. that was a photograph — i was in the madness. that was a photograph taken _ i was in the madness. that was a photograph taken a _ i was in the madness. that was a photograph taken a few - i was in the madness. that was i a photograph taken a few months before _ a photograph taken a few months before your mum died, wasn't it? �* , ., before your mum died, wasn't it? a ., ., y before your mum died, wasn't it? ., _. it? it's a lovely picture. believe _ it? it's a lovely picture. believe it _ it? it's a lovely picture. believe it or _ it? it's a lovely picture. believe it or not, - it? it's a lovely picture. believe it or not, i - it? it's a lovely picture. believe it or not, i was| it? it's a lovely picture. i believe it or not, i was an addiction. how do you know? i'm looking at myself, i remember what i wore that night and i got in trouble.— what i wore that night and i got in trouble. mike was still drinkin: got in trouble. mike was still drinking on _ got in trouble. mike was still drinking on the _ got in trouble. mike was still drinking on the day - got in trouble. mike was still drinking on the day his - got in trouble. mike was still drinking on the day his mum | drinking on the day his mum died. when you look at that, what goes through your mind? heartache. what was your lifestyle? drinking and using all the time. any opportunity. when you say you had a drink than because it was always that you had a drink because mike yes. in you had a drink because mike es. , , yes. in hindsight. istill drink now, _ yes. in hindsight. istill drink now, don't - yes. in hindsight. istill drink now, don't i, - yes. in hindsight. istill. drink now, don't i, made? yes. in hindsight. istill- drink now, don't i, made? do ou? drink now, don't i, made? you? would drink now, don't i, made? dr? you? would you say you have a problem? i

you? would you say you have a problem?— problem? i don't know, really. in a wa problem? i don't know, really. in a way i _ problem? i don't know, really. in a way i am _ problem? i don't know, really. in a way i am because - problem? i don't know, really. in a way i am because i - problem? i don't know, really. in a way i am because i like i in a way i am because i like magic, _ in a way i am because i like magic, don't i? i suppose i have — magic, don't i? i suppose i have got— magic, don't i? i suppose i have got a problem. it�*s magic, don't i? i suppose i have got a problem. it's brave of committee _ have got a problem. it's brave of committee say _ have got a problem. it's brave of committee say he - have got a problem. it's brave of committee say he has i have got a problem. it's brave of committee say he has had l have got a problem. it's brave i of committee say he has had his own struggles with a drink but through it all, i can tell he is really proud of his son. he has still well. _ is really proud of his son. he has still well. -- _ is really proud of his son. he has still well. -- done i is really proud of his son. he has still well. -- done well. | has still well. -- done well. mike is doing _ has still well. -- done well. mike is doing well - has still well. -- done well. mike is doing well but i has still well. -- done well. mike is doing well but his i has still well. -- done well. i mike is doing well but his dad can be, well, less than helpful. i can be, well, less than helpful-— can be, well, less than helful. , , , ., helpful. i pull my energy into findin: helpful. i pull my energy into finding how _ helpful. i pull my energy into finding how my _ helpful. i pull my energy into finding how my dad - helpful. i pull my energy into finding how my dad is - helpful. i pull my energy into finding how my dad is as i helpful. i pull my energy into finding how my dad is as an i finding how my dad is as an individual and he is sober then when he is drunk. i struggle because his friend stayed and they drank for four or five days and there was drinking in the kitchen on the side and i asked him to pump it away but once you've had a few, you forget and you forget at the best of times. my recovery took a back stop for two weeks, and it was realising i'm 18 months' sober but i need to still be in recovery. he sober but i need to still be in recovery-—

recovery. he told me in the ast it recovery. he told me in the past it always _ recovery. he told me in the past it always be _ recovery. he told me in the i past it always be honourable. yes, definitely.— yes, definitely. after the cemetery _ yes, definitely. after the cemetery and _ yes, definitely. after the cemetery and a - yes, definitely. after the cemetery and a chat i yes, definitely. after the cemetery and a chat with margaret. cemetery and a chat with margaret-— cemetery and a chat with margaret. happy birthday, month. margaret. happy birthday, month- happy _ margaret. happy birthday, month. happy birthday. i margaret. happy birthday, i month. happy birthday. not sure what's going _ month. happy birthday. not sure what's going on _ month. happy birthday. not sure what's going on with _ month. happy birthday. not sure what's going on with the - what's going on with the balloons but yes.- what's going on with the balloons but yes. messy loads, love. balloons but yes. messy loads, love- mike _ balloons but yes. messy loads, love. mike has— balloons but yes. messy loads, love. mike has got _ balloons but yes. messy loads, love. mike has got some i balloons but yes. messy loads, love. mike has got some news| balloons but yes. messy loads, i love. mike has got some news to share. i love. mike has got some news to share. ., ., .,, ., ~ share. i got a 'ob now, mum. so eah, share. i got a 'ob now, mum. so yeah. get— share. i got a 'ob now, mum. so yeah. get a — share. i got ajob now, mum. so yeah. got ajob- _ share. i got ajob now, mum. so yeah, got a job. gonna - share. i got ajob now, mum. so yeah, got ajob. gonna be i yeah, gotajob. gonna be helping other people as well as keeping myself sober and clean. she is always there, dad. you are right? _ she is always there, dad. you are right? yes, _ she is always there, dad. you are right? yes, i _ she is always there, dad. you are right? yes, i am - she is always there, dad. you are right? yes, i am ok, i she is always there, dad. you are right? yes, lam 0k, mate. you've— are right? yes, lam 0k, mate. you've got— are right? yes, lam 0k, mate. you've gota— are right? yes, lam 0k, mate. you've got a tough time. how has he been? he has been in on himself that he got out of a routine and that took a step back from not sticking to a routine but he has been good. you've done mike identified it and cracked it. have you been low, mike? and cracked it. have you been low. mike?—

low, mike? yes, i have had moments — low, mike? yes, i have had moments of _ low, mike? yes, i have had moments of depression i low, mike? yes, i have had| moments of depression and moments of depression and moments of depression and moments of being down and that can hit people at any time. you could have the greatest day and something that happens is like what if i have a drink? it's the first 30 seconds and then it's about realising that go bacteriology and boom, you know you need to be. —— where you need. you need to be. -- where you need. �* , . you need to be. -- where you need. �*, . . ~ you need to be. -- where you need. �*, ., ~ , need. it's march and andrew is welcoming _ need. it's march and andrew is welcoming a — need. it's march and andrew is welcoming a vip _ need. it's march and andrew is welcoming a vip visitor - need. it's march and andrew is welcoming a vip visitor to i welcoming a vip visitor to birkenhead.— welcoming a vip visitor to birkenhead. ., , ., , ., birkenhead. young people who didn't see a — birkenhead. young people who didn't see a future. _ birkenhead. young people who didn't see a future. literally i didn't see a future. literally in some estate in birkenhead were some of the first places with a heroin academic started. the country's top internet advisor on tackling drug misuse about the recovery village here. is this your cafe? she has been asked to come and see it. , , .. , has been asked to come and see it. ,, , it. this place is called the beaded heart _

it. this place is called the beaded heart of- it. this place is called the beaded heart of the i it. this place is called the i beaded heart of the recovery community of birkenhead. she has written _ community of birkenhead. she has written the _ community of birkenhead. she has written the latest major report on addiction and recovery services in england. there are very good areas of practice but what i found was a broken service stop i didn't find good, ifound bad. she find good, i found bad. she wants find good, ifound bad. she wants improvements and a more joint approach. wants improvements and a more joint approach-— wants improvements and a more joint approach. how many people ou take joint approach. how many people you take it _ joint approach. how many people you take it once _ joint approach. how many people you take it once cosmic— joint approach. how many people you take it once cosmic as - joint approach. how many people you take it once cosmic as many l you take it once cosmic as many as you can fit in the door. the, as you can fit in the door. a huge investment in specialist staff, maybe something like we are seeing her. ihie staff, maybe something like we are seeing her.— are seeing her. we have been workin: are seeing her. we have been working with _ are seeing her. we have been working with people - are seeing her. we have been working with people who i are seeing her. we have been working with people who are l working with people who are often amongst marginalised communities who comment broken and to leave healed —— come and broken. and to leave healed -- come and broken. ., ., ., ., broken. today carol told the government _ broken. today carol told the government need _ broken. today carol told the government need to - broken. today carol told the government need to spend i broken. today carol told the l government need to spend £1 billion to change things. she got £780 million. not a bad result, the most money recovery services have seen in a

generation.— services have seen in a generation. services have seen in a veneration. , ., ., , ., generation. the question to you is how do you — generation. the question to you is how do you measure - generation. the question to you is how do you measure your- is how do you measure your success? if you get people into good treatment and good recovery programmes, we know from international research, murders go down, crime goes down unless people go to prison. down unless people go to rison. . ., ., , prison. the challenge now is rebuilding — prison. the challenge now is rebuilding a _ prison. the challenge now is rebuilding a broken - prison. the challenge now is rebuilding a broken system, | prison. the challenge now is i rebuilding a broken system, not with more of the same but with new ideas for future treatment. think it's their moment of opportunity. i really want to have around the country innovation, supporting peer workers, people who have been there who know what it's like to be addicted. i want them to be treated with respect and employed. be treated with respect and employed-— be treated with respect and emlo ed. ,., ., ., employed. going through mental health services _ employed. going through mental health services by _ employed. going through mental health services by a _ employed. going through mental health services by a gp... - health services by a gp... nightingales is a good example of good practice.— of good practice. there are not 'ust of good practice. there are not just people _ of good practice. there are not just people that _ of good practice. there are not just people that bring - of good practice. there are not just people that bring up i of good practice. there are not just people that bring up on i just people that bring up on the phone and then just totally

ignore. the phone and then 'ust totally ianore. ~., the phone and then 'ust totally ianore. , , , the phone and then 'ust totally ianore. , , ., ., ignore. maybe because of an ethos to put _ ignore. maybe because of an ethos to put people - ignore. maybe because of an ethos to put people first. i i ethos to put people first. i don't believe you should never let anybody go. it is not a measure of success to discharge somebody. from an addiction service. because it's a chronic condition. i am very excited because i have actually seen a variety of things, notjust treatments, i have seen a real attempt at recovery, which is so important. attempt at recovery, which is so important-— attempt at recovery, which is so important. hello! michael, ou've so important. hello! michael, you've got — so important. hello! michael, you've got a _ so important. hello! michael, you've got a new— so important. hello! michael, you've got a new home! it's i you've got a new home! it's beginning to feel like mike is really getting somewhere. how long have you been here? moved in about 2-5 _ long have you been here? moved in about 2.5 weeks _ long have you been here? moved in about 2.5 weeks ago. - long have you been here? moved in about 2.5 weeks ago. he i long have you been here? moved in about 2.5 weeks ago. he and i in about 2.5 weeks ago. he and hannah have — in about 2.5 weeks ago. he and hannah have moved _ in about 2.5 weeks ago. he and hannah have moved in - in about 2.5 weeks ago. he and| hannah have moved in together to a new place. that's our bathroom. to a new place. that's our bathroom-— bathroom. it's all looking aood. bathroom. it's all looking good- it's _ bathroom. it's all looking good. it's not _ bathroom. it's all looking good. it's not that - bathroom. it's all looking good. it's not that long i bathroom. it's all looking i good. it's not that long but lots has changed.— good. it's not that long but lots has changed. you've turned thin . s lots has changed. you've turned things around _ lots has changed. you've turned things around dramatically. i things around dramatically. yes, being able to be in a

place where i can help people like myself, when i watch it, it's a really privileged position. so many clients and semi— people want support, seeking help and need help. there seeking help and need help. are ou seeking help and need help. are you happy? _ seeking help and need help. are you happy? i— seeking help and need help. are you happy? i put— seeking help and need help. are you happy? i put on _ seeking help and need help. are you happy? i put on my - seeking help and need help. are you happy? i put on my life i you happy? i put on my life where it — you happy? i put on my life where it was, _ you happy? i put on my life where it was, when - you happy? i put on my life where it was, when i i you happy? i put on my life where it was, when i met i you happy? i put on my life i where it was, when i met you. black and white, isn't it, really? because you were, i was drinking and using and there was a lot of conflict and stuff like that but with, when i went into recovery and i knew what i wanted out of it, i feel like i'm still getting something out of it now being able to work in a field so yes, i'm extremely happy. we are setting down the decking and going grey. thea;t decking and going grey. they are planning _ decking and going grey. they are planning a _ decking and going grey. they are planning a future. - decking and going grey. they are planning a future. mike is rebuilding his relationship with his alloy and hoping he will soonjoin hannah's with his alloy and hoping he will soon join hannah's son here for overnight stays, making it a properfamily home.

for mike, dave's visit here is a unique opportunity. he for mike, dave's visit here is a unique opportunity.- a unique opportunity. he has been with — a unique opportunity. he has been with us _ a unique opportunity. he has been with us through - a unique opportunity. he has| been with us through service, volunteering, the discovery academy. i5 volunteering, the discovery academy-— volunteering, the discovery academ. , ., , ., academy. is not everyday that i'd from birkenhead _ academy. is not everyday that i'd from birkenhead gets i academy. is not everyday that i'd from birkenhead gets to i i'd from birkenhead gets to tell his story in person to the government's most important drugs advisor. it government's most important drugs advisor.— drugs advisor. it is made to our drugs advisor. it is made to your birthday. _ drugs advisor. it is made to your birthday. i— drugs advisor. it is made to your birthday. i am - drugs advisor. it is made to your birthday. i am two - drugs advisor. it is made to i your birthday. i am two years clean and sober. i have a passion for this and really want to help people. both. alcohol and come hand—in—hand for me. they saved my life and from volunteering i applied for a job and now i am recovery co—ordinator. ajob and nowi am recovery co-ordinator._ ajob and nowi am recovery co-ordinator. fantastic. that makes me — co-ordinator. fantastic. that makes me very _ co-ordinator. fantastic. that makes me very happy. - co-ordinator. fantastic. that makes me very happy. dane | makes me very happy. dane carroll is _ makes me very happy. dane carroll is happy _ makes me very happy. dane carroll is happy because - makes me very happy. dane i carroll is happy because mike's story is one of hope. perhaps most importantly, it shows others caught in the vortex of the drugs all the drink, but things can change. that they can be life after addiction. i

can be life after addiction. i am extremely happy, i'm not depressed. there are alert things our goal and drugs are stripped me off but there are a lot of things now that i am rebuilding.— lot of things now that i am rebuildinu. ., ., ., ., rebuilding. you can follow more of my year— rebuilding. you can follow more of my year in — rebuilding. you can follow more of my year in birkenhead - rebuilding. you can follow more of my year in birkenhead next l of my year in birkenhead next weekend on the bbc news channel as i discover the toxic link between addiction and mental health. an extended version is also available from today on the bbc iplayer. if you been affected by any of the issues in this film, you can get advice and support at:

the weather has been drying out after the earlier rain and it was quite heavy on friday across some parts of the country. you can see through early saturday there is hardly anyone around at all, justin westhoff of scotland with a few showers and really clear skies for many of us but so mist and murky around the coasts of wales and south—west england. sunshine from the word go is the many of us but into the afternoon in a cloud over across northern ireland and scotland and perhaps turning hazy in some western areas as the weather front approaches and that does spell some occasional rain for northern ireland and also scotland. the temperatures will be disappointing. how about sunday? the best of the weather will be further east and south.

in the north—west, showers at times.

welcome to bbc news. i'm rich preston. our top stories: russia intensifies its attacks on ukraine's donbas region, as its forces advance on the battlefield in the south and east of the country. the outcome of this war depends on ukrainian resilience, on the amount of help its army gets from nato, and president putin's determination to fight on — whatever the cost to russia. polls are open in australia's general election, with voters choosing between the incumbent scott morrison and his rival, the labor leader, anthony albanese. the world health organization convenes a meeting to discuss the global rise in monkeypox infections. more than 100 cases are reported across 11 countries outside africa.