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Drug and alcohol addiction charity Drugsline held their inaugural campaign dinner this week, on Monday 8th May, at the Grovesnor House Hotel in Park Lane. The dinner, which raised over £280,000, marked fifteen years of operation for the East London-based organisation. Over 400 guests attended the dinner, hosted by Linda and Dennis Baylin. Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin, the executive director of Drugsline, addressed attendees. He delivered a fascinating and passionate speech about what draws him, an Orthodox rabbi, to be involved in drugs and rehabilitation. Commenting on the dinner, Rabbi Sufrin said:
“I have witnessed, and continue to do so on a daily basis, the wanton destruction that substance misuse causes to so many individuals, their friends and family. Not only do we need to continue to assist those in the grips of substance addiction, but also to help young people to abstain in the first place. I am absolutely thrilled that we succeeded in raising so much money last night and want to thank everyone for their generous donations. The money raised will help us to expand the Drugsline drugs education programmes in order to meet the growing demand for them.” Guests also watching a powerful and emotive video which conveyed the message that no matter how much love you give you children, they are all vulnerable to the influence of drugs and alcohol which are so prevalent in society today. Sir Jeremy Beadle conducted an auction, which included an “Apprentice” poster and book signed with a personalised message by dinner guest Sir Alan Sugar. Master of Ceremonies, former model Jilly Johnson and comedian Johnnie Casson also entertained guests. The money raised from the dinner will go towards increasing and developing the drugs education programmes in schools, colleges and universities. Drugsline hope to triple the number of personnel currently employed to run the programmes.
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