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Amy Winehouse's father: I feel guilty for not keeping her off drugs
Ellen Widdup and Felix Allen20.10.09
Amy Winehouse's father today told of his guilt in not being able to prevent her addiction to drugs.
Mitch Winehouse said the “over-riding sentiment” that he and other families of addicts feel is guilt in not being able to protect them.
Giving evidence to a home affairs select committee inquiry into the cocaine trade, the 58-year-old used his experiences to tell MPs how treatment for drug addicts should be improved.
The former taxi driver said: “Almost every one of the families who have a relative who is an addict feel that they could have done better. I've felt exactly the same.”
He added: “People have said to me why didn't you section [Amy], why didn't you lock her in a room?'
“All of this is of course ridiculous. We were very fortunate. We were able to afford the best doctors and rehabilitation services. But for most families of addicts there are very few facilities available. I find it very frightening.
“People are committing offences just so they can get the chance of getting treatment. There are very little treatments for those who just walk in off the street and say they need help. There is a period of a year before treatment can commence for non-offending addicts.”
Mr Winehouse, who is working on a documentary to highlight the issue, also told how Amy, 26, has been clean for a year.
Earlier, he told the Standard: “Last year the Government spent £400 million on drug rehabilitation, yet if anybody wants to come off drugs voluntarily there's very little help available to them.
“The NHS has a one-year waiting list. The vast majority of the money is being taken up by the criminal justice system — such as burglars who are offered residential treatment as an alternative to a spell in prison.
He said he did not want to focus on his daughter, but added: “Obviously I wouldn't be in this position, with politicians and parents of addicts phoning me up, if it wasn't for who I am. But this goes far beyond celebrity drug culture. If you can afford to pay to go into the Priory, you're going to get the finest treatment and the best results. But if you can't, what do you do then?”
Other witnesses at the committee, chaired by Keith Vaz MP, include Sarah Graham, a cocaine user turned drugs counsellor, and academic researchers.
Family heartbreak
2003 Winehouse releases debut album Frank
2005 Meets Blake Fielder-Civil. He claims he introduced her to drugs
2006 Releases Back to Black
May 2007 Marries Fielder-Civil
August 2007 Cancels shows, citing exhaustion and ill health
September 2007 Hospitalised for taking an overdose
January 2008 Goes to rehab
April 2008 Father Mitch asks for her to be sectioned, but authorities decide she is not a danger to herself after she goes back to rehab
July 2008 Fielder-Civil jailed for perverting the course of justice and grievous bodily harm with intent
January 2009 Spotted with actor Josh Bowman on holiday in St Lucia and says: "I don't need drugs"
June Mitch says she is in a drug-replacement programme
July Returns from St Lucia and says she is free from addiction
August Divorces Fielder-Civil
October Appears as backing singer for goddaughter Dionne Bromfield. Claims the 13-year-old keeps her "on the right path"
Reader views (4)
He tries to blame himself for this, but I say....
...No, No, No!
- Nowan King, London
Who? Good Lord is she still around? Must have another dross album coming up soon then.
- Bob, Cheam
Mitch Winehouse doesn´t need to blame himself. It´s not his fault his daughter took to drugs. I agree with Aylyn, 03189 Orihuela Costa. Amy is lucky she has such a level-headed father on her side and he makes good sense too. How about listening to your Pa, Amy?
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
Listened to this guy on the Radio report of the Commons Committee and he spoke a lot of sense. Amy is lucky to have such a level headed and supportive person in her corner.
- Aylyn, 03189 Orihuela Costa
