Heroin addicts say the waiting time for treatment is too long

Peter Cross, 42, from Mansfield Woodhouse in Nottinghamshire, says he gets better treatment when he is inside prison than when he is released.

He said: "You get into prison and get some help, but when you get outside you get in trouble again - it is a never-ending circle."

He says the waiting times for help from community drug services are just too long.

'Walking dead'

Peter told BBC Radio Nottingham that he comes off the drug with the help of prescribed alternatives in prison, but each time he comes out he begins drug-taking again.

His mother Cynthia said: "It is awful. He is out for two days and he is on it again.

There seemed to be no help for me, my wife or my family when he was on heroin Mick Smith Father of addict

"I can't see why they can't continue with the same treatment once he is out of prison."

Peter, who is out of jail at present, said: "You have no life when you are on heroin - you are walking dead."

Another Mansfield man whose son died from a heroin overdose is also calling for better professional support for addicts.

No help

Mick Smith, 54, says he was left with nowhere to turn after his 24-year-old son Simon became hooked on drugs.

He says he was left feeling helpless as the family sought professional help from the local doctor and other drug experts.

"There seemed to be no help for me, my wife or my family when he was on heroin," he said.

A spokeswoman for the Nottinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team said she had sympathy for the family and would look to see if lessons could be learned.