WIREDGOV

Tackling drugs in our communities

HOME OFFICE News Release (094/2009) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 8 June 2009

National Tackling Drugs Week was launched today by Home Office Minister Alan Campbell. The awareness week, which runs from 8 - 12 June 2009, will see a range of partners including drug treatment agencies, local authorities, substance misuse voluntary workers, police and community groups highlighting their work to rid communities across the country of drugs.

Various activities are planned throughout the week to showcase the scale of public services and local organisations who work together to tackle drugs and make communities safer. Right across the country police enforcement to target drug dealers, education schemes teaching young people the harm caused by drugs and support structures for individuals and their families affected by drug use are ongoing.

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 very real harm caused by illegal substances.

"I want to thank those who go that extra mile to tackle drug use, by working tirelessly to bring to justice dealers who blight our communities, educating youngsters about the dangers of drugs and supporting friends and family of drug misusers. I know 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."

Deputy Chief Constable 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 action is being taken 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."

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 - for more information about regional events contact the COI News and PR regional office or the Home Office press office on 020 7035 3535.