RECOVERING drug addicts took centre stage to share their stories in front of dignitaries – before staging a tongue-in-cheek play.

Darlington’s mayor, Councillor Gerald Lee, handed out awards at a ceremony hosted by local charity NECA.

The event was organised to highlight the efforts of those trying to break away from drug addiction and saw former addicts take to the stage to share their experiences.

A packed house at The Forum in Darlington listened as a young father recounted his wayward past.

Carl, a former heroin addict turned charity volunteer, said he had once been a ruthless prolific offender.

He said: “Five years ago, I was someone you’d look down on, I was addicted to heroin and a dirty smackhead.

“I found drugs at the age of 12, I struggled to show my emotions and ran away from everything – it meant that I didn’t have to face life.

“I was brought up in Australia and thought I could change by moving to the UK, but I didn’t realise I’d brought my head with me.

“I’m now recovering mentally, emotionally and physically – I abused my body all of my life and I abused those around me because I was frightened and insecure.

“I was removed from society and went to rehab where I learned about myself and I learned, through recovering in Darlington, that without the community and its support, recovery is impossible.

“I thought recovery for me would be dying in a ditch with a needle in my arm, but I’m here today, I pay bills, I work, I’ve got a loving partner and I’ve learned to be responsible.

“It’s hard work getting clean and harder staying clean, but with the support I’ve had, I’ve been clean for nearly three years.”

Carl’s speech was followed by the lively play Drac and the Rat, staged by recovering addicts and others affected by substance misuse.

Cllr Lee said: “It’s excellent to see people who are ill get better.

“At this time of year, we think of the courage of our soldiers of decades past – this is courage of a different kind.

“It’s the courage to make a decision to stop an out of control life and accept the support from those around them - that’s not easy by any means.”