National Tackling Drugs Week

National Tackling Drugs Week was launched today by the Home Secretary. The week, which runs from 8 – 12 June 2009, will see a range of partners including drug treatment agencies, local authority, voluntary substance misuse workers, police and community groups highlighting the work they do, including police enforcement activities to rid drugs from our communities by identifying and prosecuting dealers, educating our young people on the harm caused by drugs and focus on supporting individuals and their families affected by drug use.   

To highlight this work Safer Northern Devon will be profiling a number of initiatives and services designed to reduce the impact of Drugs on our communities. 

National Tackling Drugs Week provides an opportunity to increase peoples understanding and remind people of the large number of public services and local organisations, who work together to tackle drugs and the affects of drug use and make communities safer.

Home Office Minister Alan Campbell said:

“National Tackling Drugs Week is about highlighting and promoting the work that goes on throughout the year in communities to reduce the harm caused by illegal substances.

“I want to thank those who go that extra mile to tackle drug use, work tirelessly to bring to justice dealers who blight our communities, educate youngsters about the dangers of drugs and support for friends and family of drug misusers in order secure a positive future. I know that this work is making our communities safer and happier places in which to live and work.

“We can only do this through joint action between partners such as police forces, drug treatment agencies and local authorities which combine tough enforcement, treatment and awareness campaigns for the benefit of everyone.”

DCC Tony Melville, the Association of Chief Police Officers lead for National Tackling Drugs Week, said:

"National Tackling Drugs Week is an ideal opportunity to showcase the work of all police forces and enforcement agencies in the fight against drugs.  We want local people to see and understand what we do in order to keep our local communities safe.

"Those of us who are responsible for law enforcement recognise the need to take a firm stance against those involved in criminal activity involving illicit drugs. We want local people to be confident that their concerns are understood and enforcement agencies are taking action to tackle drugs and drug related crime.

"The response, from police forces in support of the week, has been excellent with colleagues from around the country keen to demonstrate some of the significant, and widespread, work being undertaken regarding drug enforcement."

Kristian Tomblin , Devon Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT) Manager said:

 “ Devon DAAT is the commissioner for Drug & Alcohol services locally.  It’s our role, through partnership to address both the immediate and longer-term causes and consequences of substance misuse in order to reduce the negative impact drugs have on individuals, their families and their communities now and into the future.”  He added, “National tackling Drugs week is an excellent opportunity for local residents to see what’s being done and give us their feedback”

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. National Tackling Drugs Week is designed to provide local agencies and police forces with a platform to publicise the work they do to tackle drugs and reduce drug related crime and to highlight the significant efforts that are being made to keep our communities safe.

2. For more on the Government’s drug strategy, “Drugs: protecting families and communities” go to http://www.drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/ 

3. There are 149 local Drug Action Teams/Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships responsible for delivering the Drug Strategy. Their work aims to tackle supply, target young people to prevent them becoming tomorrow’s drug users, get more people into treatment and reduce the fear of crime that drug misuse can cause. 

4. Government ministers will be taking part in events up and down the country.

5. For further information about the activities and events taking place in Northern Devon please contact Amanda Palmer at Safer North Devon on 01271 335241

Amanda Palmer
Community Safety Manager
Safer North Devon
Amanda.palmer@northdevon.gov.uk
01271 335241

Kristian Tomblin
Devon DAAT Manager
Devon DAAT
kristian.tomblin@nhs.net
01392 449818

 

Safer North Devon is the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) covering both North Devon and Torridge Districts.  The partnership is supported by agencies who are accountable under the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act to deliver on a reduction in Crime, Fear of Crime and Antisocial Behaviour as well as others with a local stakeholder interest.  Our accountable bodies are Devon County Council, Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, North Devon Council, Devon Primary Care Trust, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, Devon and Cornwall Police Authority and Torridge Council.

 

Tuesday, 2nd June 2009