Drug User and Community Support Project

Introduction

This project has been set up as a co-ordinated partnership response to the potential needs of drug users and other local residents following police operations to target drug dealing. These operations may lead to sudden reductions in the availability of illegal drugs, with the following consequences:

• health and other problems for illegal drug users
• increased motivation amongst drug users to reduce or stop drug use
• an increase in local crime levels as the price of illegal drugs rises
• concern amongst local people about the extent and consequences of drug use in the community.
  

The project therefore aims to:

• provide support and treatment for illegal drug users whilst enabling and encouraging them to reduce drug use and enter treatment programmes
• prevent drug related crime
• support communities.

The Project

The project will achieve its aims by providing:

• information, treatment, support and other services to users who are affected by a sudden reduction in the supply of illegal drugs
• information on local drug and alcohol services and crime reduction to all members of the community.
  

The accompanying diagram gives information on the organisations that have planned, and will deliver, this initiative and on their specific roles.
In summary:

• The project will take place during and immediately following all major police operations that target drug dealers and are likely to lead to a reduction in the supply of illegal drugs in Colchester.
• The project will be managed by a co-ordinating group made up from DARG members. These will be from Colchester Borough Council, Open Road and Essex Police (Community Safety Department, Colchester). This group will be responsible for informing partner agencies, after being contacted by the Police, of the timing of the operation, and for ensuring that each is carrying out its role (as described on the diagram) during the implementation of the project. These roles will include the dissemination of information and the provision of advice and support to both drug users and other members of the community.
• The main feature of the project to help drug users will be the setting up and running of an open access treatment and support centre at Open Road for 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 2 weeks following the police operation. (Exact details to be decided by co-ordinating group at the time). This will be staffed by a GP, NEEDAS and Open Road staff members, and a nurse practitioner from Beacon House. It will provide users with: information and advice; crisis support, including treatment for withdrawal symptoms; access to treatment, including methadone programmes; referral to other agencies, including the ongoing support programmes run at Open Road.
• The community support aspect of the project will involve the dissemination of information flyers and leaflets (examples attached) providing information on local drug services and on crime reduction and community involvement.
• Each project will be monitored by the co-ordinating group which will then submit reports to the Drug and Alcohol Reference Group and Colchester Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP).
• Some funding for the project(s) has been provided by the CDRP but its effective implementation is dependent on the in-kind contribution of partner agencies.

Please download our press release.

For more information please contact: Alison Woolnough, Community Health Co-ordinator, Colchester Borough Council. Telephone: 01206 282975 Email: alison.woolnough@colchester.gov.uk