A former drug addict is looking for people to be part of a documentary focusing on homelessness and addiction in Weymouth.

Stephen Smith lived in a skip in Littlemoor and begged on Weymouth town centre streets in the late 70s, during 20 years of drug addiction and homelessness.

As a youngster, Stephen enjoyed a ‘playboy’ lifestyle before ending up on the streets.

In 1997, Stephen published his autobiography Addict, which documented his destitution and struggle to get off the streets.

The book instantly became a bestseller, selling more than 100,000 copies worldwide in the first 18 months.

Stephen has been off drugs for more than 38 years and went on to become a successful businessman.

He now wants to make a documentary highlighting the struggles of the young homeless people of Weymouth - and is calling for volunteers to come forward.

Stephen will interview people in Weymouth currently living on the streets or struggling with addiction, people who have found a way off the streets and the family or friends of addicts or homeless people who are at a loss of how to help.

“I’ll be interviewing people myself as because of my background, people open up to me and talk to me more. Crime and being on the street becomes a way of life and if you haven’t been in that life, I don’t think you can appreciate the mind set,” he said.

Stephen, who came from an affluent background, said he was 14 the first time he committed a crime.

“I snatched a woman’s handbag and got caught. I was obviously very emotionally disturbed that I wanted to commit that type of crime,” Stephen said. “It’s easy to diagnose what is wrong with people physically but many of the young people who end up committing crimes have different emotional problems.”

Stephen added after a brief spell in a mental institution he then got involved in organised crime, drugs and spiralled into a life of destitution.

“Crime and addiction are interlinked and that’s when crime becomes a way of life. When you steal a phone, it doesn’t enter your head that the owner might need it, or you might hurt them. None of that is of interest - you need drugs, a fix so you see it as your phone because you need it,” he said. “You build up resentment to other people. Why should they have a family, clean clothes and a place to live.”

Stephen hopes the documentary will highlight crime and social issues in the resort and help his bid to start a ‘Newstart’ centre which will provide rehabilitative services to Weymouth’s homeless youngsters.

Filming for the documentary will begin this summer and anyone interested in sharing their stories can write to Stephen Smith at 43 Greek Street Stockport SK3 8AX or email at stephen@stephensmith.us