A SERVICE which has been dedicated to helping hundreds of women overcome drug and alcohol problems will no longer exist after next month.

The Oxford Women’s Service has been based in East Oxford for the past four years.

In that time, its users, many of whom have been born into violent and abusive homes and turned to drugs, say it has saved their lives.

But Cranstoun, the organisation which runs the service, has lost the contract to continue to provide it and will cease to exist after March 31.

Instead it will be incorporated into three new services commissioned by the Oxfordshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), which has seen its annual budget of £4.5m from central government reduce by three per cent in funding cuts.

DAAT director Jo Melling said the changes involved switching to a system of payment by results. She said that of about 43 women a year the Oxford Women’s Service helped in its annual £188,694 a year contract, just 47 per cent completed their treatment.

The new service will be focused on recovery and helping people stay clean from drugs and get back to work. It will have women-only sessions, but some users are worried losing contact with the team who have helped them over the years will affect their recovery.

One user said the existing service had been integral in her fight against drugs.

She was once on £200 of crack and heroin a day. The 32-year-old lived on the streets and turned to crime to feed her habit.

But after she was picked up by the Oxford Women’s Service, she said her life changed beyond recognition.

She said: “The women’s service saved my life. I’m worried without their support I will lose my way again.”

Ms Melling said: “The service will only receive a payment when they achieve certain outcomes based around the service user being drug-free and crime- free.

“It’s like giving someone a knee operation. It’s only successful if six months later that person is up and about again.

“We need to be thinking along the same lines if we are going to make the best use of taxpayers’ money.”