A pregnant mum-of-two who's addicted to crack and heroin has hit out at those who judge her. Former prostitute Tracey Whelan, 42, moved away from the Harehills area of Leeds in an effort to "get away from the drugs".
But she said she had found herself back there, begging for money to try to get a bus back to her home of Halifax. And she told LeedsLive she was sick of people judging her, insulting her and calling her derogatory names.
Tracey, from Chapeltown, has been addicted to drugs for 26 years, having got hooked when she was working as prostitute to survive. She said: “They call me a crackhead, dirty s*** and a smackhead. I’m in agony. You shouldn’t judge people, it’s not right. I don’t bother anyone.”
Tracey said she associated with “bad people” when she acted as a sex worker around the Harehills and Chapeltown areas. She moved away from Leeds and has mothered two children, aged eight and 26.
Tracey said: “I used to live in Harehills, but I moved away to get away from the drugs. I’ve got two kids and I’m pregnant now.”
Harehills has been described as a “holiday resort” for street-drinkers by West Yorkshire Police, who are committed to cracking down on the anti-social behaviour after being granted increased powers to take action in the area. Tracey distances herself from the street-drinkers, making assurances that she doesn’t drink and calls their anti-social behaviour “disgusting”.
She said: “I don’t drink, it’s disgusting. They’re falling all over and causing trouble. I take heroin and crack, I’ve been addicted for years – 26 years. I got involved with bad people, prostitutes, and people like that. I used to do it myself, in Harehills and Chapeltown.”
If you have concerns for someone begging, you can report it here. Leeds charities which can be contacted include Forward Leeds, St. Anne's Resource Centre, St. George's Crypt and York Street Health Practice.
