'Families are the missing piece': Former Shrewsbury mayor who lost daughter urges Salopians to have a say on addiction treatment

A former Shrewsbury mayor whose daughter died after battling alcohol addiction has urged for families to be included in their recovery.

Jane Mackenzie’s daughter Amy Liebich died in 2019 aged 37 after struggling with alcohol.

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Now Jane is campaigning to raise awareness about the subject and trying to make changes with her charity in Amy’s memory, Share Shrewsbury.

Shropshire Council is preparing to commission a new drug and alcohol treatment service, and Jane is keen for Salopians to make the most of an “important opportunity” to improve outcomes.

“Families are the missing piece in addiction recovery — and in Shropshire, we now have a real chance to change that,” Jane said.

“Following recent coverage in the Shropshire Star, many people have come forward to share their experiences of supporting a loved one through alcohol addiction. Their message is clear and consistent: families are too often left outside the door, excluded from the very services designed to help.

“We believe this must change.

“Right now, Shropshire Council is preparing to commission a new drug and alcohol treatment service. This is not just an administrative process — it is a rare and important opportunity to improve outcomes for individuals and families across our county.

“Through our work with Share Shrewsbury, and through conversations with families, we have heard the same story again and again. Parents, partners, and siblings are desperate to help, yet they are often excluded from treatment plans, unable to share vital information, and left to cope alone.

“Addiction does not happen in isolation. It affects entire families. And recovery is far more likely to succeed when families are included as part of the solution.

“There is strong evidence to support this. Research shows that involving families improves engagement with treatment, reduces relapse, and supports long-term recovery. Quite simply, when families are included, outcomes are better.

“That is why we are calling for a clear and practical change to be written into the new contract.

“We are asking that every individual entering drug or alcohol treatment in Shropshire is required to nominate a family member or trusted person to be included as part of their support team — wherever appropriate and safe to do so.

“This is not about creating additional services or bureaucracy. It is about changing the way existing services work — ensuring that families are recognised, respected, and included as partners in recovery.

“We call this Amy’s Voice.”

She added: “Amy’s story is now helping to drive change — not just through education in schools, but through a wider movement to ensure that other families are not left to face the same barriers.

“We are already hearing from families across Shropshire through a new survey, and their voices will help shape the future of local services. Their experiences are powerful, and they must be listened to.

“Shropshire has the opportunity to lead the way.

“By embedding family involvement into the heart of addiction treatment, we can create services that are more compassionate, more effective, and more sustainable.

“This is about better outcomes, stronger recovery, and ultimately, saving lives.

“We urge decision-makers to act now — and to ensure that in Shropshire, families are no longer excluded, but recognised as an essential part of recovery.”

Families with experience of supporting a loved one through addiction are encouraged to share their views here: https://gforms.app/p/VLjIW4v

The survey closes on April 20.