The leading advice service offering assistance to British Jews with drug problems has suddenly closed after more than 20 years of service.

In an email to supporters on Monday, Drugsline founder Rabbi Aryeh Sufrin said the charity’s work had ceased because “finance could no longer be secured to maintain this very high level of service”.

He blamed a shortfall in government grants, and a reduction of donations during the recession. He said the management group had been left with “no choice” but to close.

Rabbi Sufrin, who received an MBE for his efforts with the charity, wrote: “Sadly, despite our every effort to try and maintain Drugsline’s many years of service and achievements, finance could no longer be secured to maintain this very high level of service."

The charity offered confidential advice to drugs users and their families, using teams of volunteers to run services from its base in Redbridge, Essex.

Drugsline services had been in demand, with the number of callers to its hotline doubling in 2010 and continued expansion into north London communities planned.