HIS life has seen a "mind-boggling" turn around thanks to help to quit drugs.

Derek Bradford had been homeless since he was a teenager, suffering health scares that came from life on the streets and rejecting offers of help.

The 34-year-old spent years living in hostels and failing to keep tenancies.

Derek finally ended up sleeping on Argyle Street, in the City Centre, and turned away any approaches from the Street Team, which supports homeless people.

He said: Derek said: “The city centre is safe.

“It’s covered with CCTV cameras and it’s a good place to make money.

“When you’re stuck in that life, you can’t see a way out.

“I kept telling my Street Team worker Billy to f*** off when he offered me help, but he wouldn’t give up.

“He kept coming back again and again - asking me to go for help and said he’d come with me."

During his time on the streets, Derek had contracted Hepatitis C, was hospitalised five times in a year and warned he would lose his legs if he didn't stop injecting.

He added: “It’s not that I didn’t want help, but you want everything immediately. You’re not interested in going to appointments and that.

“You just want to score and get money for drugs.

“In the end I was sick of the life - it’s demeaning.

“I woke up in the Drug Crisis Centre one morning and knew I had to do something.”

Support workers organised a six month rehab placement for Derek who has now been drug-free for more than a month.

The CAN team has also secured him a house and will ensure he receives life skills support to cope with tasks like paying bills and dealing with utility companies.

Now Derek wants to use his 20 years experience of drugs and homelessness to help other people.

After completing his treatment at the Cothrom-Eile project - Another Opportunity in Gaelic - he plans to do voluntary work with some of the services that put him on the road to recovery.

He also hopes to study for care qualifications.

He said: “I’ve got 20 years personal experience and I want to help others. It’s mind-boggling how far I’ve come.

"I’ve learned a lot about myself and I feel a lot better. It’s scary and exciting to think about getting a new house. But I know I’ve a good support team around me and I’m positive about the future.”