A FORMER adviser with tax specialists Chiltern was forced to attend a clinic for treatment as an alcoholic, even though she denied suffering from the disorder, after being accused by super model client Elle Mcpherson of leaking information to the press.

The claims were made today at the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics by Mary-Ellen Field, a former intellectual property specialist with Chiltern, who was made redundant from the firm at the beginning of 2006.

Her redundancy followed just four months after an interview with Accountancy Age Best Practice magazine in which Field and Macpherson had only high praise for each other.

Field told how she began working with Macpherson soon after joining the firm in 2003 and was asked to look after her licence arrangements.

Field also arranged press interviews for Macpherson. But Field recounted how, in 2005, she was about to meet the fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune when the model’s lawyer telephoned to tell her not to attend the meeting.

Field then claimed that her husband was called and warned that she could be fired for leaking information to the press and that she was accused of doing it because she was an alcoholic.

Field categorically denied being an alcoholic during today’s hearing. There then followed meetings in which Field agreed to attend a clinic on the understanding that she would then be allowed back to work.

She agreed to this despite being warned by lawyer friends to resign and sue for constructive dismissal.

She attended a clinic for some days, but was told she was not an alcoholic, she said, rather she had an ‘adjustment disorder’, which she believed meant stress in the US.

She returned to work with a clean bill of health at the end of 2005, but in early January 2006, as her health declined, she was made redundant.

When news of the phone hacking scandal broke in 2006, with the arrest of News of the World Journalist Clive Goodman and private detective Glenn Mulcaire, Field said she heard that Elle Macpherson’s phone was one of those alleged to have been hacked.

She contacted her former employer, but received no response. She also attempted to make contact with the police, but did not begin formal contact until 2009 after further stories appeared in The Guardian. She is now involved in civil action against News International.

In September 2005, Accountancy Age Best Practice magazine published an interview with Field, not a qualified accountant, about her work at Chiltern in which it was revealed that she was advising Elle Macpherson. Macpherson was quoted in the magazine praising Field. “She’s a fantastic communicator and quick as a whip,” she said.

She added: “She has a fantastic scope of knowledge and a very good mediator. She’s one of my right-hand people. I couldn’t do this business without her.

“Mary-Ellen is the nuts and bolts of the machine on the commercial side.”

Field was equally complimentary of Macpherson. “Elle has an extremely strong vision of what her brand is and she’s absolutely consistent in that and always has been. We just make it happen,” Field said.

Image credit: Shutterstock

Supermodel Elle Macpherson sent her manager to a psychiatric unit to undergo treatment for suspected alcoholism after wrongly suspecting her of leaking secrets while drunk, the Leveson inquiry heard today.

Mary-Ellen Field was forced to spend 10 days at the “grade one psychiatric facility” in Arizona after the Australian supermodel failed to realise her phone was being hacked.

Ms Field told the inquiry how Macpherson suspected her of revealing details of her custody battle with financier Arpad Busson over their children after their split in 2005.

In a testimony showing how her life had been destroyed by the false allegations, Ms Field said she had been forced by Macpherson to attend the drying-out course or face being fired as she suspected she had leaked secrets while drunk.

She said: “Elle had proposed I be sent to rehab to recover from my alcoholism – to the same place she goes to – and they will pay for it and when I get back after five weeks everything will be lovely.”

She was given the ultimatum at a meeting with the supermodel and the boss of the law firm that represented her interests in developing her lingerie range, The Body.

“I thought they had all gone mad,” she said. “I thought I could go to this meeting and convince them they had all turned into lunatics.

“She (Elle) went in and put her arms around me and said she knows what it’s like to be an alcoholic and she is going to help me, and she knows I would never have spoken to the media were it not for my alcoholism. I was speechless.”

The inquiry into press standards will also hear today from Steve Coogan and ex-footballer Garry Flitcroft. The actor and comedian, best known for his role as Alan Partridge, believes his phone was hacked by the News of the World.

In an interview with the Guardian two months ago, he claimed that the Sunday tabloid’s then editor Andy Coulson personally orchestrated an unsuccessful attempt to trick him into admitting he had slept with a woman.

Through December

Puppies for Patients:

Join Community Blood Center of the Carolinas for the Seventh Annual Puppies for Patients program. Donate blood to the CBCC through December and you can sign a tag that will be attached to a stuffed puppy and delivered to children in area hospitals. Visit www.cbcc.us for a list of blood drives or donate at one of the four centers.

Thursday

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous Thanksgiving Day Meeting:

This program is based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are no dues, fees or weigh-ins at FA meetings. FA is a fellowship of individuals who, through shared experience and mutual support, are recovering from the disease of food addiction. 10 a.m. University City United Methodist Church, 3835 West W.T. Harris Blvd. Free. 704-348-1569;

foodaddicts.org.

Saturday

Holiday Harvest Hike

for Health:

A moderately fast hike for fitness to work off that holiday meal. For ages 12 and older. Be prepared to walk 2-3 miles over rough trails. 2 p.m. Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2900 Rocky River Road. Free; registration required: 704-598-8857.

THE Western Region Alcohol and Drug centre (WRAD) opened its rented Timor Street doors in 1986 with little more than three staff, a $170,000 budget and a vision.

Twenty-five years later, more than 65 people celebrated the reality of that vision with an anniversary gala dinner, a history book and an honour board.

Now in a purpose-built facility on Merri Street with more than 20 staff and just under $1.5 million at its disposal, WRAD is a pillar of hope in an ever-growing community.

Dawn Bermingham knows the centre’s journey better than most.

The office manager was receptionist at the Western Regional Association for Alcohol and Drug Dependence (WRAADD), as it was known 25 years ago.

“It started off as a drug and alcohol counselling service with three staff,” Mrs Bermingham said.

“Now it’s one of Warrnambool’s only bulk-billing medical practices.”

Mrs Bermingham said her passion for the job stemmed from developing her own skills and observing the influence WRAD had on its clients.

“It’s rewarding to see patients move on in their lives … to see them make changes,” she said.

“We develop programs to assist recovery from alcohol and drugs or any addictive behaviours for the benefit of the people.”

WRAD will always be a work in progress with the Warrnambool community, according to director of 11 years Geoff Soma.

“It’s been quite a lot of hard work,” he told The Standard. “Building up a sustainable medical practice has been a challenge.”

During its 25 years, the not-for-profit community organisation has expanded to offer a clinical practice, in addition to its counselling services.

“It keeps evolving to meet the needs of Warrnambool and the district,” clinical manager Daryl Fitzgibbon said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said there were numerous programs that came under the clinical banner but admissions often involved one of the “four Ls” — liver, lover, livelihood or law.

“Usually it’s one of these that makes people contemplate that they have an issue,” he said. “It’s when you realise the substance you once loved has gotten the better of you.”

WRAD achieves breakthroughs all the time but Mr Fitzgibbon said the region’s drinking and drug-taking culture was constantly changing.

“The variety (of substances) and greater population, combined with high (levels of) media selling the product plus pointing out the problems — there’s a conflict,” he said.

“Once upon a time people would go out to drink, now they drink to go out.”

Mr Fitzgibbon said WRAD’s recent adoption of a general health medical practice helped diminish the stigma attached to drug and alcohol centres.

“Some will see their GPs or seek counsel in friends or other services,” he said.

“(But) people can come here for their cold or flu.”

With one-on-one counselling and group therapy, WRAD’s services are designed to cater to each individual. Different options became more readily available with the addition of two doctors and a part-time general practitioner during the past decade.

Mr Soma said since WRAD began operating a bulk-billing medical practice, its range of services had also become more accessible.

“WRAD has become an important part of the Warrnambool community,” he said.

“It’s important to have a local response for people to go when they’re concerned about drugs and alcohol.

“But quite often alcohol and drugs are only part of the picture. It’s not just a case of getting them to give it up.”

The director said physcial, emotional and sometimes mental health issues played a role in patients’ ability to embrace WRAD’s services.

“There’s a long road to recovery for a lot of people,” he said. “We are a vehicle to process change.

“We give them the tools to overcome difficulties associated with addiction in a way which is … approachable.”

Mr Soma said alcohol continued to be the district’s most problematic drug, followed by cannabis, but WRAD staff had individual skills that different patients could respond to.

WRAD’s 25 years of achievements have been in spite of a constant battle for funding.

“We give them (patients) hope and a chance to overcome difficulties … but the amount of money from the government is still not enough.”

Mr Soma said when WRAD’s change of direction to incorporate general health services was made public, the organisation received donations from local community groups and philanthropic trusts.

He said WRAD’s continuous gains outweighed any setbacks and “enriched” his and the lives of staff and patients.

“The sense of community and partnership in Warrnambool is fairly special,” Mr Soma said.

“It’s wonderful seeing the smiling faces of people who have previously been in great difficulty.”

Past and present staff and committee members celebrated the thousands of people who have crossed WRAD’s threshold since 1986 at the Lady Bay Resort on Saturday.

Monday, 21 November 2011, 9:59 am Press Release: Carlin Valenti

November 21, 2011

Book Details Difficult Road Back From Addiction and Drug Ravaged Life

‘Walking with the Taniwha’ is the updated, brutally honest autobiography of Paul Bennett, his descent into drug and alcohol abuse, and his physical and mental battle to recovery.

First released in 2005, and sold out nationwide, Bennett has more to say with a further seven years of rehabilitation, relapse, and the realisation it wasn’t only the side affects of substance abuse that nearly killed him, but unrecognised mental health issues that plagued his life.

After the book was released (in 2005) Bennett travelled the country speaking about his ordeal and miraculous survival. However, being able to share his life story with others has been both a blessing and a curse.

He explains, “I enjoyed my catapult into infamous stardom, but after eighteen months I burnt out and crash-dived into hopeless depression. I got caught up in it all and my recovery fell into second place.”

He tumbled back down to the dark underbelly of alcohol and prescription medication abuse.

When he relapsed Paul went into drug rehabilitation for the first time in his life. He first went into a 12 Step programme and cleaned up his act. He then went into a Community Alcohol Drugs Service (Hospital system) and then a kaupapa Maori mental health service. During this process he learned he not only suffered from anxiety and depression but also the mood disorders associated with a bipolar condition. So began his understanding and acceptance that his mental health was causative to his addiction.

Whereas the first edition of his book focused on the physical recovery, this new edition focuses on mental health awareness, addiction and options for drug rehabilitation.

“I have completed many trainings, been involved in peer support, and my research has been rigorous.”

He explains once he understood more about himself and what triggers his anxiety, he knew he had to work with it, not against it.

The revised edition of ‘Walking with the Taniwha’ will be launched on Wednesday November 23 at the Ngaiterangi Iwi offices in Tauranga at 10.15am.

ENDS

Success looks bright for the first year of operation of the Cass County Drug Court.

Attorney Courtney Holland with the Cass County District Attorney’s Office said funds to operate the court came from a federal grant, and the drug court does not cost the county any money.

“Research showed that constant sentencing of felony offenders wasn’t getting to the problem of underlying issues,” Holland said. “Judge Don Dowd, along with probation officers Catherine Betts and Gary Clayton, and myself, thought the drug court would be helpful to reduce the numbers in the jail for probation violations. I had worked with the drug court in Bowie County.”

Holland said the team attended a national conference in Kansas City, Mo., for newly-organized drug courts held.

“We learned how to form the drug court team, the appropriate sanction incentives, and basically how to set up the drug court,” she said. “We did that in the summer last year and learned how to get new members, who the appropriate candidates were, and how to come back and implement this in Cass County.

“Typically people who are in drug court are people who are facing revocation and are either facing penitentiary time or inpatient time. Drug court is something that is a little less restrictive than inpatient treatment, but more intense than regular probation. This is for any kind of addiction to drugs or alcohol.”

The drug court program can hold up to 30 people, according to Holland.

“At this time we have 16 in it,” she said. “The time is a minimum of one year for people in the program. This is a very intensive program. They can be in the program longer than a year, depending on their progress.

“We have sanctions where they may have to serve three days to a two-week jail sanction if they aren’t working their community service or are not attending group meetings. If they have the occasional relapse, various things can happen as sanctions. The drug court keeps them from going to the penitentiary or serving a year in jail.”

Having the support of others is important, according Ms. Holland.

“They have support of each other and have the support of a counselor whom they work with twice a week,” she said. “They learn different thinking patterns. It teaches them a different way to approach life.”

In the first phase, drug court probationers are required to attend Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings weekly, depending on their addiction. They are required to work the 12 steps and obtain a sponsor.

“I got involved because I have so much addiction in my family. I truly do believe in rehabilitation as opposed to just throwing someone away and locking them up. They hold the key when they are in the drug court.”

Judge Dowd said he was pleased with the drug court.

“We have a team concept, and everyone on the team has to undergo training which is part of the Department of Justice,” Judge Dowd said.

“A year ago in April we all went to a week-long course, very enlightening, and several of us have been to different courses designed to keep you up to date. It is a wonderful program. Its goal is to try to get people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol help to beat the addiction.

“The idea is if you can beat the addiction, you can get them out of the criminal justice system and make them a functioning member of society. Some of these folks have been addicted for years and years,” the judge said.

“This is not an easy thing to do. The success rate is not 100 percent. If you can get 50 to 60 percent to graduate the program, you are doing well. It is hard to get people off of drug or alcohol addiction.

“This program has been one of the most effective programs for addiction of people who are also in the court system. We get to know these people on a personal level; they see me every two weeks, and I talk to them one on one. They are under intense supervision.”

There will be a program for the first graduates of the drug court in January.

I can’t recall if there was a significant event that set me on my renewable journey. Perhaps it was the realisation that my carbon footprint, which had, I reckon, been trudging along at a complacent 5.5, really needed some attention. And although I would never have considered myself to be a climate-denier, I was always sceptical of the Hallelujah chorus proclaiming the environment to be the new global religion. Like Chicken-licken and Hen-len, I took to venturing out each morning wondering if today was the day when the sky would fall in. All I can say is that, having been washed in the renewable waters of sustainability, I’m having a jolly good time.

An early test of just how profound has been my conversion was when I came recently to buy a car. Previously, I had deployed a regrettably jejeune attitude to carbon emissions. Does anyone really gives a tinker’s toerag about fuel emissions as long as the Chinese are singlehandedly wrecking the planet? This time, I bought myself an unfussy and low-emission wee jalopy that is as carbon-friendly as a soya bean supper.

It seems that the motor had qualified for a low-emission badge on account of the engine automatically cutting out when it becomes stationary at traffic lights. Unfortunately, I was trying to look for the cigarette lighter when the chap from the dealership was telling me about this. On the first few occasions it happened, I was taken by surprise and thus accosted by impatient motorists with that unseemly highway semaphore that all male drivers use to convey impatience on the road. But I overcame these early jitters and am now quite smug and supercilious when the engine cuts out. That’s another couple of Arctic terns I’ve saved, I tell myself.

In the last few weeks, many of my light bulbs have chosen to expire. One by one, they have popped their last and thus began my usual pitiful struggle to identify them and try forlornly to match them at Tesco. Now I’ve just decided not to replace them and am using aromatic candles instead. How green is that? If everyone followed suit, that hole in the ozone layer would be patched up in no time.

I’ve also been injecting wee shots of vodka into my lunchtime oranges and at this rate will have reached the recommended five a week target in no time. It gives you a small, sustainable glow, knowing that you’re eating healthily and avoiding all those pre-packaged comestibles. One of my chums even suggested a very biodegradable exercise to do with recycling cigarette butts. Instead of chucking them away, you can use them to construct a sort of soft decking for the veranda.

I’ve even started to record Frozen Planet and am assiduously following the adventures of Sir David Attenborough’s Arctic beasties in their diurnal struggle for survival in the world’s most bleak and beautiful region. Last week, it was the turn of the caribou to take centre stage. These boys knock the bejesus out of each other to win the right of becoming a lady caribou’s swain during the breeding season. And happily there was no sight last week of the cognitive killer whales which all do the Rubik’s Cube before jumping a stray seal.

So I feel very happy and comfortable being the renewable and sustainable me. But being Scottish, and living in the most paternalistic state in Europe, I know it can’t last. It occurred to me as I watched, transfixed, a two dozen strong herd of male caribou chasing the female and fighting to become the grand fromage that in an independent Scotland such scenes would probably fall foul of the censor’s scissors. They would be deemed to be reinforcing sexual stereotypes and promoting a Dickensian approach to equality.

For last week we had another new example of the SNP’s drive to make us the most miserable country in the world. They’ve already targeted cheap alcohol in supermarkets, and have banned glass tumblers in pubs. On their watch, Scotland led the world in banning happy hours in taverns. Now they are considering banning alcohol from being sold on trains, wretchedly unaware that the partaking of a few small salvadors is the only way to endure the Stygian hell of travel with our national rail operator. In the same week, it was announced that there are serious UK-wide proposals to ban smoking in cars, the natural corollary to Scotland enhancing its champion pedigree at banning things by outlawing cigarettes in public places.

The Edinburgh civil service is currently on track to become the only growth sector in Scotland after they’ve hired the battalions needed to write all the new laws that the government has been making. Singing off-colour songs at Celtic and Rangers matches will send hundreds more deprived young males to prison, there to begin their apprenticeships of a career in real crime. And how long before the poppy junta will succeed in making it an offence not to wear the little red flower in the month of November? Already, two Scottish teachers are under investigation, having been reported by pupils for “not showing enough respect” during a school assembly’s two-minute silence. This is an obscene corruption of the values for which volunteer servicemen in Britain’s last legal wars died.

Soon, schoolchildren will be getting marched into social care for sending texts containing the abbreviation LOL, once it becomes known to the hate police that it also means Loyal Orange Lodge. At Edinburgh Zoo, the more aggressive animals will soon be forced to participate in anti-bullying classes where an outcome-based teamwork initiative will be promoted.

I love being all green and environmental and carbon-efficient these days. Nobody forced me; it was a free choice. Others may feel it is a waste of time. Soon, though, they will be made to bend the knee when this government, as it will, is compelled to pass a law enforcing the new green living laws.

Scotland will not die of cancer or heart disease or alcoholism; it will die of misery instead.

News of a religious nature may be submitted for Faith Features to JPodolak@News-Herald.com; The News-Herald, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; or faxed to 440-975-2293. Deadline is the Tuesday before the Saturday of publication. We cannot guarantee publication.

AUDITIONS: The musical passion play Tetélestai is having auditions for its 35th anniversary season. Auditions for cast and crew take place at Gilmour Academy (Lower School) in Gates Mills from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday; from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 3 and from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Those auditioning should be prepared to sing one song, about 3 minutes or less, and must provide “music only” accompaniment either on a CD or an iPod. For necessary forms and to schedule an audition, call 440-944-0635; www.tetelestai-cpam.org.

FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER: Mentor United Methodist Church, 8600 Mentor Ave., offers a free Thanksgiving Dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday. Need a meal delivered? Call 440-255-3496. Everyone is welcome to attend. No reservations required.

REV. WROBLE: Beverly Wroble, associate pastor at Mentor United Methodist Church, has been admitted to the Doctor of Ministry degree program at Ashland Theological Seminary in Ashland. She began the doctoral program in September.

NEW YEAR IN NOVEMBER: Saints Robert and William Catholic Parish in Euclid will celebrate “New Year’s in November” at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 26. The evening celebrates the old church year coming to an end and the beginning of the new year (Advent). The 17-piece Joe Mayer Orchestra will play a variety of music from the Swing Era with songs by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, as well as Latin, rock, polka and waltz music. An all-inclusive dinner will top off the evening. Tickets, available at the Parish Office at 367 E. 260th St., are $40 a person and $75 per couple. Details: 216-731-1515; www.srweuclid.cc.

NEW PRIEST: Join members of St. Andrews Byzantine Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Dec. 4 for a free community lunch organized to meet and greet Rev. Bob Kelly, new parish priest. Confessions are available upon request. The church is at 5768 Andrews Road, Mentor-on-the-Lake. Details: 440-257-3620.

SACRED MUSIC: St. Cecilia Foundation, guest choir for the 4 p.m. Dec. 10 Mass at St. Vitus Church, will give a short concert in the lower church hall after the Mass. St. Vitus Catholic Church is at 6019 Lausche Ave.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT: The Circle of Friends will present a Christmas concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 18 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 3050 McMackin Road, Madison. A love offering will be taken in support of the group. Donations of non-perishable food will be collected in support of the Madison Food Center.

GRIEF SHARE: New Promise Church offers a 13-week Grief Share program, designed for people grieving the loss of someone dear. Each session includes a video and group discussion. A notebook for note taking, journaling and grief study, helpful materials and refreshments are included in the $25 cost for the 13-week program. Sessions have already begun and end Jan. 7. Each session is self contained so begin or end when you wish. Register at the church office, 8671 Euclid-Chardon Road, Kirtland. Details: 440-256-3705 or e-mail to info@newpromisechurch.us.

DIVORCE RECOVERY: New Promise Church continues its divorce recovery program at 7 p.m. each Friday through Dec. 3 at the church, 8671 Euclid-Chardon Road. Designed for people experiencing separation and divorce, each session is self-contained so can be started any week. It’s $30 for the 13-week program. Call the church office at 440-256-3705 or e-mail info@newpromisechurch.us for more information. Continued…

OUTREACH: A Christ centered, Scripture based 12-step ministry reaches out to those struggling with addictions and compulsive personalities, guiding to recovery through Jesus Christ while using the 12 steps of recovery in their origination from scripture. The program is at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at Pilgrim Lutheran Brethren Church, 9514 Johnnycake Ridge Road in Mentor. Details: 440-255-9403 or 440-867-6265

ADULT CAFÉ: Sunday mornings from 10 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. join adults to share faith around the Sunday Scriptures in Room 104 at St. Mary Magdalene, 32114 Vine St., Willowick. No registration necessary. Free babysitting. Details: Terrie Baldwin 440-854-6013.