Many groups rely on a single committed individual who struggles to keep everything going but, due to the surrounding apathy, is unable to claim to represent the local user community. There are advantages in wide membership. But these groups have their own agendas that often conflict with those of active users. To safeguard their own sobriety, ex-users may have to distance themselves from current users. Drug workers are unlikely to feel happy making certain sorely needed criticisms of drug agencies.
Some workers are totally unacceptable because of their attitudes to the issues.
On balance, where possible it is probably best to work with professionals, but groups need to carefully define how such alliances will be made. The biggest challenge drug user groups face is overcoming feelings of impotence, inertia and apathy among potential members. Many won't get involved because they think it's a waste of time - that drug users have no power and that groups will find it impossible to bring about change. Yet that isn't the case. Recently, government said all areas must consult service users when planning their drugs strategy.