New volume for addict who put life together with poems

A POET who has put her life back together after years of drug abuse, homelessness and dealing with the aftermath of being raped as a teenager has released her second volume of work.

Last year the Evening News told how Nicole Carter, 35, from West Linton, saw her life fall apart after dabbling with drugs introduced to her by dealers, one of whom raped her when she was only 15.

Over the next 20 years she struggled to hold down a job, and spent her life going in and out of psychiatric hospitals.

Now, thanks to the help of drop-in centre Colinton Mains House and Edinburgh Crisis Centre, she's getting back on her feet.

She said: "Some of the new poems are a bit racy, while others a bit thoughtful." Mathematics With Words is distributed free by the Scottish Poetry Library.