about escape...

Escape Family Support Ltd is a registered charity that aims to provide support, counselling and educational information for drug users, their families and carers and where possible mediate between the family and drug user to alleviate the problems experienced and distress caused by inappropriate drug use. Escape also works to raise awareness within the community of Blyth Valley and Northumberland.

The organisation was formed in February 1995 by Janet Murphy following the death of her daughter Jennie from Methadone and Valium poisoning. It became apparent to Janet that there were no services available to families either dealing with a young person using drugs or who had suffered a bereavement through substance misuse. This compelled Janet to setup Escape with the help of a local social worker.

Escape grew in just two years to become a registered charity with national recognition, headquarters in Blyth and branches across the county.

Throughout Northumberland some 700 individuals contact Escape each year, their contact ranges from one off advice and support, to intensive work accessing most of our available services. Around a quarter of our client group are families or carers of substance misusers.

Escape works with a committed team of staff who provide support through a range of services covering the following areas; Alnwick, Ashington, Berwick, Haltwhistle, Hexham, Castle Morpeth, Prudhoe, Seaton Delaval and Blyth.