A RECOVERING drug addict says he would be dead if it hadn't been for the Greenock rehab lifeline which is now at risk of closure.

James Tait told the Tele he owes his life to Jericho House and says it must stay open.

The Tele revealed earlier this week how the charity's drugs recovery units in Greenock are under threat of closure due to lack of funding.

James, 39, moved into the Bank Street on August 20 and has been drug-free for three months.

He insists it is vital that the unit stays open.

James said: "I would be dead now if it hadn't been for Jericho.

"I feel as if I am making progress.

"I am talking about how I feel and I'm not using drugs as a coping mechanism."

James's life spiralled out of control and his last chance was Jericho.

He said: "I came here because I didn't want to die.

"I've been taking drugs since I was 13.

"It started with party drugs - ecstasy, acid, cocaine and cannabis.

"Then that led to heavier cocaine use, temazepam and I ended up on valium."

James even became addicted to prescription drugs.

He said: "I would go on binges for three or four weeks and didn't remember anything apart from the first drug I took."

He had tried and successfully quit drugs before Jericho made the difference.

He said: "I got off drugs but I couldn't stay off.

"I had to come here.

"The evidence is there to show that this really does work.

"All the staff are recovering addicts and have been through the service themselves.

"They are not asking you to do something they've not done themselves."

Another client of Jericho House is also backing calls for it to be saved.

Lee McDermott, 22, is a former teenage addict who tried to kill himself but he says he now has a reason to live thanks to Jericho.

Lee has only been at the unit in Bank Street for 10 weeks but is hopeful for the future.

Lee said: "I started taking drugs when I was 12, cocaine and cannabis and I was drinking as well.

"It was a social thing at first because everyone else was doing it but before I knew it, they could stop and I couldn't.

"I made several suicide attempts because I couldn't stop taking drugs.

"The programme here makes you look at yourself.

"I feel really grateful to have this opportunity to change my life and change how I think.

"I've still got a long way to go."