Detox worker 'gave client whisky'

A social worker from Sheffield who helped a client through treatment for drug and alcohol problems offered him whisky in a pub, a tribunal was told.

Craig McLoughlin, 54, who admitted being drunk at the time, also offered the man magic mushrooms, a General Social Care Council (GSCC) panel heard.

The GSCC heard the client, known as Mr A, informed his grandmother and she reported Mr McLoughlin to his bosses.

He faces seven charges amounting to an allegation of misconduct.

The GSCC committee heard Mr McLoughlin was employed by the city council to work for the Sheffield Care Trust in mental health services.

Andrew Swan, representing the GSCC, said Mr A had issues with psychosis, which were linked to substance and alcohol abuse, and Mr McLoughlin was involved in arranging his attendance at a detox programme.

I love drugs me, you've just got to know how to handle them What Mr McLoughlin allegedly said

Mr McLoughlin was on his day off when he saw Mr A and his girlfriend, Miss C, in the pub.

Mr Sawn said: "[Mr McLoughlin] offered to buy an alcoholic drink for Mr A, namely whisky.

"He went on to express his view to Mr A that nobody could be without alcohol and that was despite the fact that Mr A had recently undergone detox.

"Mr A refused the offer of a drink."

The committee heard Mr McLoughlin went on to offer Mr A magic mushrooms and asked him if he had any cannabis or sleeping tablets.

Mr A telephoned his grandmother to tell her what had happened and she reported it to Mr McLoughlin's employer, Mr Swan said.

'Really shocked'

During the investigation, Mr McLoughlin accepted he had been intoxicated at the time.

He also confirmed he had met Mr A and Miss C that day and may have made some inappropriate comments.

A disciplinary hearing was scheduled for September 2005, but he submitted his written resignation that day, so the hearing did not proceed.

Mr Swan read a statement from Mr A in which he said Mr McLoughlin helped him set up the detox and was "very encouraging".

He said: "I had always thought him to be all right, but when I sat down I realised he was hammered.

"He actually put a short in front of me. He said he wouldn't tell anyone if I had a drink.

"I was really shocked."

Mr A said McLoughlin told him in the pub: "I love drugs me, you've just got to know how to handle them."

The hearing continues.