Drug addicts in Barnet are being offered shiatsu, Indian head massage and acupuncture on the NHS to help them overcome their habits.

The Crossing, a community drug and alcohol service in High Road, East Finchley, uses complementary therapies to help addicts deal with withdrawal symptoms and entice them back so their problems can be treated.

Heroin, cocaine, amphetamine and crack addicts can all use the centre.

Anna Parker, manager of the service which offers a drop-in centre three times a week, said complementary therapies were an "integral" part of their treatment.

"They are widely used in drug treatment," said Ms Parker. "Whatever drug or drugs you are using it helps address the withdrawal symptoms things like craving, anxiety and stress.

"But the other thing about complementary therapies is that they really help to retain people in treatment. People tend to come back if they are having complementary therapies. There is a direct benefit for the client but there is a direct benefit for us because if you can keep the client in treatment, the better they tend to do."

The service, which has been open for two years but is officially being launched at its new base today, dealt with around 375 new referrals last year and sees around 20 to 30 people per drop-in session.

The Crossing also deals with addicts referred from custody at Colindale police station and offers a needle exchange service to stop the spread of blood-borne infections like hepatitis and HIV.

"We are not particularly abstinence orientated," added Ms Parker. "People don't have to want to stop altogether. They could just want to cut down on their drug use or stabilise it, or just try and get back to social drinking."

The drop-in centre runs on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1pm until 3.30pm and on Fridays from 10am until 12.30pm. There is also a service for the friends and families of drug addicts.

For more information and advice call 020 8815 1800.

June 14, 2002 10:30