This
Toolkit is one of a series of a series designed to help all those
involved in crime reduction and community safety to work as
effectively as possible. It brings together information on the
latest developments research findings and promising approaches to
tackling drug supply. It includes tools for identifying problems,
developing responses and monitoring progress as well as
highlighting practical measures to make communities safer.
The toolkit
is concerned with tackling the supply of drugs.
It is primarily aimed at:
·
Police
·
CDRP s and
DATs
But will be
of value to
·
Any local
partnership tackling drug problems which has problems of supply,
such as New deal for Communities partnerships, LSPs etc
·
Researchers
Tackling
the supply of drugs is a crucial part of strategies to tackle
drugs and to tackle crime. The two key aims of Home Office policy
both need effective action to control markets to make them
successful. Drug related crime is a very significant part of
volume crime generally and it is essential that alongside other
work to tackle the dependency and offending behaviour of dependent
users, the supply of drugs is stifled and criminal groups
supplying drugs impeded in their work. Tackling drug supply is a
key part of the National Policing Plan and is amongst the highest
priority for Police forces.
The
national strategy focuses action against drugs in areas of
greatest need and risk and on those drugs that cause the greatest
damage including heroin and cocaine. Recent research has shown
that a small proportion of problem drug users are responsible for
a very large proportion of crimes. Because of this there are
several references to the term ‘problem drug user’ in this
toolkit. We have used this term to identify those for whom drug
use involves dependency, regular excessive use or use which
creates serious health risks.
This
toolkit is intended to help Partnerships reduce the supply of
drugs. Work with users to reduce their dependency is covered in
separate guidance available at
http://www.nta.nhs.uk/
Work to
build strong and resilient communities and to engage communities
in helping to tackle crime and drugs is being encouraged through
both crime and drug strategies. Separate guidance on how
communities can be helped to support these aims is contained at
http://www.drugs.gov.uk/WorkPages/Communities/Toolkits and in
deprived areas through
http://www.renewal.net
In order to
develop and become fully effective however, it will need constant
interaction from practitioners. The 'Innovations' page is intended
to generate comment and the contribution of good practice; this
will ensure that it remains relevant and valuable.
Key
links:
Partnerships’ audits and strategies can be found on the crime
reduction website at
http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/regionsaz.htm
There is
also a toolkit on audits and strategies on the crime reduction
website
http://www.crimereduction.gov.uk/toolkits/p00.htm.
National
Drug Strategy
http://www.drugs.gov.uk/NationalStrategy
Drugs
Statistics, Research and Development in the Home Office
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/drugs1.html
