'My daughter was terrified'

On arriving at the Millennium Centre two drug users were sat on the chairs as you enter on the right, with bags and bedding at their feet. 

My wife took my daughter into the triage area and was seen almost immediately. She received excellent service.

She then had a prescription for my daughter to get from the centre pharmacy. 

As she returned to this area she was faced with what she later described to me as a scene similar to that of a zombie film.

The two drug users originally on the seats by the door were still there with all their bags and bedding.

But there were now six others huddled in the small area directly in front of the pharmacy desk.

They appeared under the influence of drugs, two very heavily.

My daughter was terrified and my wife felt hugely uncomfortable.
My wife was not willing to take my daughter through the group to the pharmacy and had to ask the security guard to watch her.

My wife then had to uncomfortably congregate among these people to put the prescription in.

One of them in particular was sweating profusely, moaning, groaning and pacing around. 

A second was hunched over, whilst another was slouched on the floor. The remaining three were also very impatient.

Desperate to get back to our daughter she had to ask the staff to come over to her where she would be stood to give her the medicine. 

One of them then began wandering around the reception area, moaning and groaning loudly, towards my wife and daughter.

My wife had to move further away and shield my daughter, who by this time was gripping on to my wife. 

The lone security officer had to speak with the pharmacy staff, advising them it was unacceptable to leave them sat in the triage area, alone in the state they were in. 

It was at this point that a member of pharmacy staff finally brought over my daughter’s prescription and apologised.

I understand about human rights and that these individuals have a right to access services and they may have a sad story behind their situation.

However my wife and daughter also have human rights and so do the vast majority of the public who choose not to engage in drug abuse.
My daughter described to me the “scary” people she had seen and how frightening it was.

It amazes me that the town centre, which should be the focal point of this town and an attraction to the many people living in St Helens, is instead a haven for drug users due to the location of the needle exchanges, Addaction, methadone collection points and numerous housing options.

Names and address submitted