A NEW action group has been set up to help signpost services to Inverclyde families affected by drugs and alcohol.

Families In The Know Inverclyde has been set up by a team of like-minded residents who have experience of loved ones going through recovery.

The supportive community group offers residents a safe space to explore self-advocacy and to find out more about the help available to them.

The group is being launched in the week that annual figures on drug-related deaths in Scotland were published showing that 26 lives were lost to drugs in Inverclyde last year.

A total of 237 drug-related deaths have been recorded in Inverclyde in the last decade, according to the National Records of Scotland statistics.

Members of the new organisation’s steering group told the Telegraph the group is currently meeting monthly and has produced a number of podcasts to give people pointers on accessing support.

Agnes Donnachie, a group member, told the Tele: “We realised there was a gap in terms of knowledge, and we had to help fill it and signpost for people.

“There is plenty for people who are in recovery, but there’s not much for families.

“We felt we could take action ourselves.

“This is an action group of like-minded people, and we’re all looking for the same thing.

READ MORE: Inverclyde's streets 'awash with crack cocaine' warns drugs worker as annual death figures released

“In a group you can achieve much more than you can on a one-to-one basis. It volumises the power.

“It’s not a nice place to be when you feel you’re the only one dealing with something like this.

“You feel shame, and that can isolate you. You might feel as if it’s just you and your loved one. It can be a bit stigmatising.

“We’ve decided to roll our sleeves up and take action.

“It’s not just support we’re offering, we’re saying ‘what can we do about it?’.”

The group also has a Facebook page, 'Families in the Know Inverclyde', where more than 2,000 members are able to exchange information and access support.

Rose Gough, another member of the group, said accessing support had helped her deal with the loss of friends and family as a result of drugs and alcohol.

She added: “It’s helped me big time, being part of this. I was so low and so depressed.

“I’ve lost so many people through drugs and alcohol.

“Now I know my rights and I know how to help other people.

“Being able to help more people is just great, because it’s saved my life being part of this group.”