Tacking Drugs and Changing Lives

Added: 13/05/2008
Category: Suffolk Constabulary

Suffolk Constabulary is asking for help from all sections of the community in its continuing campaign against the use and dealing of illegal drugs.

Officers are urging the public to act as their eyes and ears and to report any suspicions they have about the supply and use of drugs in their communities.

The call comes at the start of ‘National Tackling Drugs Week’ (19th – 23rd May), which aims to highlight the positive work being done to tackle drugs and to reduce drug-related crime across the county. The week also aims to highlight the wide-ranging activities and services available to help those who use drugs to beat their addiction.

Detective Chief Inspector David Skevington said: “Suffolk Constabulary is dedicated to targeting drug dealing, drug misuse and the associated crime. This campaign aims to highlight the positive work we do all year round in taking drugs and dealers off the streets.

“This issue blights our local communities and our message is ‘Your call can make a difference’. Information from members of the public is key in tackling this issue. While overall crime is down, latest figures for 2007/8 show an increase of 5.8% in the number of drug offences being recorded. This increase reflects the hard work and pro-active approach to drug enforcement and information from the public will help to target this area even further.”

Suffolk Constabulary works with its partners at the Suffolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT). Suffolk DAAT represents a partnership of health, criminal justice, councils and the voluntary sector. A great deal of pro-active work is done by Suffolk DAAT about drug education, prevention, and treatment.

It is estimated that there are approximately 2,600 problem drug users in Suffolk. The links between drug use and crime are clearly established. In fact, around three-quarters of crack and heroin users claim they commit crime to feed their habit (Source: Home Office website).

Getting those people who use drugs into treatment is a priority for Suffolk DAAT, as Simon Aalders, DAAT coordinator, explains: “National tackling drugs week is an ideal opportunity to highlight some of the excellent partnership work taking place in Suffolk. Last year 1460 people received drug treatment in the county, an increase of over 200 on the previous year. This demonstrates two things very clearly, one: help is now more available than ever before and two: that the problem of drug abuse effects a significant number of people in the county.

“The agencies in Suffolk are making a real difference in tackling drugs, we all recognise that only tough enforcement and effective treatment working together will begin to deal with this problem.”

If you have information about drug activity in your local area, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you are worried about your drug or alcohol use, or that of a friend or relative, then call the DAAT helpline on 01473 299640 between 9am and 6pm, Monday to Friday to get advice and information.

For more information about drugs log-on to the FRANK website: www.talktofrank.com or phone 0800 77 66 00.