Staff at a drug and alcohol help service based in Wallington have celebrated a successful first year in business.

The team from the Sutton Integrated Drug and Alcohol Partnership (SIDAP) marked its first anniversary on Friday, June 6 with a party, birthday cake and talks about what the future holds.

The service, based at Manor Road in Wallington, is a partnership between South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust (SWLSTG) and South London Community Drug Service (CGSSL).

SWLSTG service director Mark Clenaghan said: “The partnership is operating even more successfully than we could have hoped.

"The patient experience is excellent and we are getting national recognition for the work.”

Figures from the National Treatment Agency, which monitors work to deal with substance misuse within the National Health Service, show that SIDAP is the second most effective nationally.

More than 500 patients have received help for drug problems in the service's first year, while 434 needed treatment for issues with alcohol.

Treatment is determined to be successful if the patient has stayed off drugs or alcohol for a period of at least three months.

CDSSL managing director Franco Toma said: “We are very proud of all we have achieved this year and are looking forward to continue providing top quality care and treatment for people in Sutton and across South London."

South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust provides hospital inpatient and outpatient services, social care, community and home support to people in Wandsworth, Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Merton.