Project Adder was launched in Newcastle in 2021
Almost £3 million worth of drugs have been seized since its inception.
City leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to a unique diversionary scheme which has seized almost £3 million worth of drugs since its inception.
The pioneering Project Adder was launched in Newcastle in 2021 and has gone from strength to strength.
Aiming to tackle drug and alcohol-related harm, the scheme sees the Force work hand in hand with Newcastle City Council to offer support to those most impacted by addiction and risk of exploitation, as well as systematically taking down the criminal groups behind the supply chain.
Since it launched in April 2021, police have arrested 468 people, executed 142 warrants and taken £2,922,865 worth of illegal drugs out of circulation.
Thanks to the funding, we reintroduced drug testing to those in custody from August 2021, and have carried out 821 tests. Of those who tested positive for opiates and cocaine – 49% of those signposted have engaged with recovery services.
Since that time, 2,245 adults have engaged in structured treatment, while project workers have had meaningful contact with almost 1,700 people individuals to date.
Over 650 Naloxone kits, which are used to reverse the fatal effects of an overdose, have been distributed by treatment and harm reduction services and a new injectable opiate substitute therapy has also been introduced, which makes it much easier for people in treatment and also reduces some of the stigma and shame they feel.
Funding has also been used to support PROPS, a service which supports carers of substance users. Throughout 2021 and 22, PROPS supported 152 carers of family members with drug-related problems and 176 carers of family members with alcohol-related problems. And, between April 2021 to early February 2023, PROPS have made 268 direct contacts with substance users, providing support, advice and signposting.
More than 1,200 professionals have also received training in drug awareness, Psycho Social Interventions, specialist Crack Cocaine training, Parental Substance Misuse and Change Resistant Drinkers.
Praising the continued success, Superintendent Jamie Pitt of Northumbria Police, the Force lead for Project Adder, said: “It has been an incredibly busy two years and I have been personally impressed with the results this partnership as a whole has managed to deliver to date.
“Illegal drug use and addiction is a complex issue which cannot be resolved by the police working in isolation – it is something which calls on everyone living in our communities to play a role in.
“What’s great about the initiative is that it empowers organisations to work as a team, each with their own specialist role. For police, that means continuing to seize and destroy substances, arresting dealers and focussing on the wider networks they are part of, such as the organised criminal groups involved in the supply chain. We also work with partners to identify those most vulnerable to criminal exploitation within that supply chain.
“As part of Adder, we also share data and vital material gathered from our investigations with public health teams and support services, so we are all working from the same information.
“We believe the work carried out under Project Adder ultimately makes our communities a better place as we help those at risk get the support and treatment they deserve. The Government will soon be announcing their plans for the coming year and we are looking forward to continuing our work.”
Cllr Karen Kilgour, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council and cabinet member for a Healthy, Caring City, said: “Drugs and alcohol impact individuals, their families and the wider community and we are committed to working with our partners to ensure people can get the help they need, when they need it.
“There is of course still a long way to go, but the additional capacity in specialist treatment and family and carer services delivered through our ADDER funding has reduced caseloads, allowed a more tailored and flexible approach, and helped more people in their recovery journeys.
“We are not complacent – our data tells is there is significant need across the city and we continue to prioritise this. We are reviewing our delivery plan to also focus on earlier interventions to prevent some of the harms and issues people face when in addiction, and next year’s grant allocation should support this additional work.”
For more information about support services in Newcastle, visit: Drugs and Alcohol | Newcastle City Council
To find out more about Project Adder, visit: Project ADDER - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)){:target=_blank}