The Princess of Wales today urges people to treat addicts with kindness. Kate, patron of addiction charity The Forward Trust, says it is “a serious mental health condition” and “not a choice”.
Her video message was released at the start of Addiction Awareness Week – and echoes the work of her late mum-in-law.
Princess Diana advocated for addicts to be treated with compassion and was patron of the charity Turning Point
In her own message, mum-of-three Kate urged them not to let shame stop them getting help as “recovery is possible”.
She says she has met many drug addicts during her work for the charity and they can be any age, gender or race.
She said: “Attitudes are changing but we are not there yet and we need to be. Still the shame of addiction is stopping people and families asking for help and people are still tragically losing their lives.
“We as a society need to recognise that the only way to help those suffering is to try and understand what has led them to addiction, to empathise with them and to be compassionate to their struggles.”
There were 275,000 adults in contact with drug and alcohol services in the year to 2021, up from 270,000 previously.
The campaign is run by the trust and other charities including Steps2Recovery and the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
Mike Trace, of The Forward Trust, said: “At a time when addiction is growing across the UK it is crucial we build awareness of its causes and act quickly.”
