Retailers join partners in offering Drug and Alcohol information to their customers
As part of National Tackling Drugs Week, Barnstaple shoppers were offered community information on alcohol and drugs as they did their local supermarket and DIY shop.
Barnstaple PCSO’s met with residents and visitors at Tesco and B&Q each day this week to answer general questions, signpost them to local support services, or take note of any specific concerns that might require the police or their partners to respond.
Sgt Jim Tarr, Police Neighbourhood Team Leader for Barnstaple said:
“ This community activity was really well received by both retailers and the community. Our neighbourhood policing approach makes it natural for us to represent partner agencies in this way, and to try and help communities access the advice they need.” He added “ My officers understand the range of services available to our local community and refer to them on a regular basis, but we’re aware that we are in a fortunate position and must share that knowledge with communities”
Information was handed out on Criminal Justice and Community services from Addaction, EDP and Y-Smart for alcohol and drugs including FRANK information for young people and families.
Tesco Customer Services Manager Dan Best said:
“This is a great opportunity to support the local community, alongside our Neighbourhood Beat Team. It helps promote awareness of agencies that are available to our customers. The store will continue to support the Police in local events.”
PCSO Hannah Denton who arranged the information displays for the team said:
” We had a range of questions, from a need for personal support, to those concerned for friends or relatives. Throughout the week parents were signposted towards the How To Drug Proof Your Kids Course, which is a six week course offering help and guidance for parents concerned about substance misuse; it’s important for us to promote a prevention message wherever we can”.
Communities can access information on services by visiting the Safer North Devon website where they can find links to all the Drug and Alcohol Services locally on www.safernorthdevon.co.uk
Amanda Palmer Community Safety Manager Safer North Devon Amanda.palmer@northdevon.gov.uk |
Sgt Jim Tarr |
Editors Notes:
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.
Addaction is the commissioned service provider for Adult alcohol Treatment for Northern Devon offering one-to-one counselling, help with motivation and provide information and advice on ways to overcome alcohol problems. Clients are referred by GP or other specialist services, and voluntarily. Addaction also offers alcohol awareness training to community groups, professionals and employers and can help employers engage with staff who have an alcohol or drug problem.
www.addaction.org.uk or call 01271 325232 or alcoholreferraldevon.org.uk
Y-Smart deliver targeted Drug and Alcohol Support Services for young people up to the age of 19 years old. If any young person has a problem with drugs, alcohol or solvents and wants help, they can call, email or refer themselves to Y-Smart.
www.y-smart.org.uk or call 01271 388162 or email info@y-smart.org.uk.or
EDP works with people across Devon and in Dorset who have, or are affected by, drug and alcohol problems both in the community and in prisons.
http://www.edp.org.uk/ North Devon Services – 01271 859044
How to Drug Proof Your Kids® (DPYK for short) is an education, prevention and intervention programme developed by the national charity Care for the Family, in association with Hope UK, specialists in drugs education. Tel:(029) 2081 0800, Fax:(029) 2081 4089 Email: dpyk@cff.org.uk
Friday, 12th June 2009
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