National Tackling Drugs Week June 2009
Last updated June 17, 2009
Events support National Tackling Drugs Week
NATIONAL Tackling Drugs Week, which ran from June 8-12, demonstrated how local agencies work together effectively to provide drug services and reduce drug-related crime across the country.
Wiltshire Council’s Safer Communities team co-ordinated the week’s activities in Wiltshire on behalf of the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership, with support from the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board (WCJB).
The Safer Communities team brought together key organisations to support and join in the week’s events.
Other key organisations that were involved included NHS Wiltshire, Cranstoun Drug Services Drug Interventions Programme, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Probation Area, Erlestoke Prison, Victim Support, the Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty’s Courts Service, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue, Wiltshire Addiction & Alcohol Support Group, Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP), Swindon Community Safety Partnership and Bath Area Drugs Advisory Service (BADAS).
The other aims of the campaign were to address local communities’ perceptions of drug use in their area and build confidence in the work of local agencies, and to demonstrate to the public that tangible improvements are being made in communities.
As part of the campaign, there were displays and information about the initiative across Wiltshire and Swindon.
These included promotional events with the community in Salisbury, Trowbridge and Swindon, as well as targeted leaflet displays and manned information stands in Marlborough, Tidworth, Salisbury, Chippenham and Trowbridge.
On Wednesday afterrnoon, Lynn Gaskin, Community Safety Service Director at Wiltshire Council, was "arrested" at Melksham Police Station and assessed for treatment for a fictitious Class A drug addiction by Drug Intervention Programme and Prolific and Priority Offender (DIP PPO) staff.
The arrest highlighted the partnership approach to dealing with drug offenders by criminal justice staff in Wiltshire.
The Drugs Intervention Programme seeks to maximize the opportunities to engage people within the Criminal Justice System with drug treatment services.
Lynn, pictured left, said: "The handcuffs were the worst bit, as was the sense of my freedom being taken away. Also it was very stark in the cell, particularly the metal loo.
"This is about a co-ordinated approach to dealing with this problem; it's not just enforcement."
DIP PPO coordinator for Wiltshire, Lynne Hill, who helped organise the arrest, said: "Offenders go through a cycle before they change. It might take several attempts before they embark on treatment.
"The preception is people don't change, which is utter nonsense. Also, it's not just about treatment, it's providing wraparound services such as housing and training."
The next day, there was a well-being football tournament for criminal justice agency staff and drug treatment service users.
The competition was won by a team from Wiltshire Probation Area. Pictured left is Wiltshire Probation Area Assistant Chief Officer Mal Munday receiving the team's trophy from Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth.
In Swindon, advice and information was taken out to local communities via the Safer Swindon Bus, as it stopped off at various points across the borough during the week.
Anyone with concerns around the dangers of drug misuse or queries about the support that is available for friends and families of drug misusers were able to board the bus, browse through displays and pick up leaflets. People were also able to chat, in confidence if necessary, to experts from local treatment agencies and others.
In support of this national campaign, Wiltshire Police executed a total of 26 warrants across the county, throughout the course of the week’s activities. Those warrants related to premises in Malmesbury, Amesbury, Tidworth, Swindon, Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Bulford, Melksham, Calne, Trowbridge, Box and Devizes.
A total of 34 people were arrested and have been dealt with in a number of ways. Seventeen have been granted police bail, to reappear at police stations at a variety of later dates. These suspects are all awaiting the results of forensic examination of substances found during police searches.
Six people have been charged, and bailed to appear before Magistrates Courts at either Swindon, Salisbury or Chippenham.
Two £80 fixed penalty notices for possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use were issued, and 9 people were dealt with by way of formal caution.
Detective Superintendent Norman McKeaveney said: “These results clearly show that drug abuse and the problems associated with it are prevalent across the county and local agencies are working closely together, to deal with a wide range of issues linked to this type of activity.
"Wiltshire Police will continue to target those suppliers who are active in this county and our message is perfectly clear - we will find out who you are and where you live, and you will be arrested. This positive action will greatly help in making Wiltshire a safer county for all its residents.”
Staff who took part in the football tournament with Wiltshire Police Deputy Chief Constable David Ainsworth
Your first point of contact for confidential help and advice is to telephone the following numbers:
Adults
0845 6036993
Children and Young People
in South and East Wiltshire 01722 341644
in North and West Wiltshire 01225 793616
www.talktofrank.com
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/alcoholanddrugsadvice