The week, which ran from 8 to 12 June 2009, saw a range of partners across
the South East region, including drug treatment agencies, local
authorities, voluntary substance misuse workers, police and community
groups, highlighting the work they do. This included police enforcement
activities to reducie harm in our communities by identifying and
prosecuting dealers, educating young people on the damage caused by drugs,
and focusing on supporting individuals and their families affected by drug
use.
Here is just a flavour of what happened in the South East region:
East Sussex organised for a local Women's Institute (WI)
to visit a drug treatment centre in Hastings and also to Lewes Prison. A
grand reception at the new Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne (part of the
TATE group) also took place with photographs taken by current service users
will be exhibited which represent “a day in the life of”.
Service users had free photography lesson and were given disposable cameras
to take a 24 hr record of their lives.
In Brighton, on the 9th June, representatives from the
Communities Against Drugs team were out on the streets in Moulsecoomb with
Neighbourhood Officers to launch a campaign about reporting drug crime.
They hope to speak to as many residents as possible and will also be
delivering anonymous reporting cards to every household during the week.
East Oxford Community Centre hosted a drop-in centre to
offer information and advice for parents, carers and children who are
concerned about drug use. Advice stands on tackling drugs were found at
Abington College, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College, and Witney College
throughout the week.
The Vale of White Horse Crime and Disorder Reduction
Partnership (CDRP) worked with youth workers during the week, visiting
Abingdon and Witney College to give a talk on drug services and take
referrals from those who are suffering with drug abuse. Stands displaying
information and leaflets were also available for students.
A five aside football tournament involving members of the public, service
users, the police, and staff from the local authority was held in
Bracknell Forest. The tournament was held at the
local sports centre and funding was be raised for the Alzheimer’s
Society. There were also a range of displays put up around drugs,
community safety, crime reduction and harm reduction.
Portsmouth held a large event called ‘Treatment
Works’. This was an all day event at Buckland community centre. The
day consisted of service users doing 30-40 minute talks throughout the day
on their experiences of drug using/committing crime – how they
accessed treatment whether that be through local drug services, DIP,
Prison, residential etc how they found it – how they got through it
and what they are doing now.
Milton Keynes held an awareness raising day at their
prison visitors centre where visitors were able to see the Drugs itemiser
in use, along with information stands as they went through the admission
procedure.
Two events were held in the West Berkshire towns of Thatcham
and Newbury. Representatives from associate
partners attended – Accommodation Providers Police, Probation,
NHS, Berkshire West PCT, Adult and Young People’s Treatment
providers , Substance Misuse Service User Advocacy Team, Domestic Abuse
Reduction Team, Shopsafe Team, JobCentre Plus, Crime Reduction Team and
the Samaritans. Both events were well attended with over 200 people
attending, receiving information and advice regarding services provided.
The Medway SOS Bus visited towns throughout Medway to
raise awareness and provide information about the effects of drugs and
alcohol and the services available to the people of Medway.
During the week Southampton’s Drug Action Team (DAT)
and some of its treatment agencies coordinated a number of events across
the city. Parent Support Link hosted an informal information luncheon at
their base, opening their doors to other service providers and interested
parties. Two clients that are on Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRR)
visited 15-16 year olds at Ebenezer Hall Youth Club to speak first hand of
the problems that a person encounters when using drugs.
Winchester
shoppers were astonished to see a crashed car in the High Street.
However, despite looking like the result of a nasty accident in the High
Street, the car had actually been brought along as part of a display by
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to help the Winchester Community
Partnership highlight the dangers that drivers face on the roads.
A short film is currently being produced to publicise the work carried out
across the South East region as part of National Tackling Drug Week 2009
and the link will be put on this site as soon as the film is ready.
Lots of photographs have already been collected and you can see some of
them on this presentation.
If you would like your NTDW09 activity detailed on this webpage please
contact Thamasin Gray.
