'One drug-related death in Norfolk is too many' - Project ADDER set to reduce drug use
It will support addicts to get the help they need
'One drug-related death in Norfolk is too many' - that's the view of the council worker implementing the new Project ADDER in the county.
The government initiative aims to takle drug-related crime and drug misuse.
Greater Norwich has been revealed as one of five areas in the UK that will pilot the Home Office and Public Health England project, which will run until March 2023.
Anne Schofield, who is Project ADDER Implementation Manager at the county council, says:
"We're looking at improving individuals' health and well-being and we know that by doing that for individuals, that will have a positive impact on the people that they are with - their families, their carers and their wider community.
"One drug-related death is too many, so what we're tying to do is to reduce the number of drug-related deaths to the lowest level possible.
"The only way we're going to achieve that is by all the agencies working really proactively, together.
Chief Constable Simon Bailey said:
"In 2016, Norfolk Constabulary declared the threat of County Lines as a critical incident following the murder of Steve Stannard in Norwich. Since then, we have taken the most robust response to target those people who traffic drugs into the county. This has resulted in a highly successful operation with the Metropolitan Police - Op Orochi - closing down County Lines at their source and securing significant jail terms for those running the drug lines.
"However, in order to tackle County Lines effectively we know we cannot focus on those supplying Class A drugs alone - we also need to focus on rehabilitation and support for those vulnerable drug users who drive the demand. Project ADDER will complement our tactics by taking on a multi-agency, whole system approach, where we will be able to identify those vulnerable to drug misuse across all ages and divert them into recovery and treatment. Together we can provide the support needed to enable drug users to build resilience, freedom from drugs and the criminality associated with it."
Cllr Bill Borrett, Norfolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Prevention, said:
"Project ADDER is a very important step forward, we know just how big an effort Norfolk police have made to combat County Lines drug dealing, but it is important to remember just how much of an impact drugs can have on the lives of the people who use them and their families.
"The project recognises that Public Health and the Police have to work together in response to drug use. This new funding gives us a real opportunity to do this and work with other partners. I am very pleased that it will give a whole system approach to cutting the supply of drugs and helping those who use them to recover and get out of the downward spiral drug addiction causes.
Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green said:
"County Lines drug dealing is a scourge on our society, preying on vulnerable victims and causing devastation and heartache in our communities.
"We are committed to doing all possible to tackle these crimes, both bringing criminals to justice and, at the same time, supporting the victims who deserve and need help to turn their lives around and escape from the misery that drugs cause. That is the priority for all of us in the county who will be delivering project ADDER.
"This is an innovative and positive approach and I welcome the opportunity we have for Norfolk to be among the first in the country to implement project ADDER for the benefit of our communities and to fight back against the dealers who seek to profit from the vulnerabilities of others."
Of the ÂŁ4.8 million in funding over the three years to 2023, ÂŁ3.4 million will be allocated to Public Health Norfolk for diversion, treatment and recovery activity, while ÂŁ1.4 million will be allocated to Norfolk Police for enforcement.
Project ADDER's national aims are to reduce the rate of drug related deaths, see a reduction in the level of drug related offending and see a reduction in prevalence of drug use, predominately opiates and/or crack cocaine.
In Greater Norwich, Public Health Norfolk and Norfolk Police will implement a co-ordinated law enforcement approach together with a range of assertive and targeted diversionary, treatment and recovery provision to:
- Increase the number of drug users engaging in treatment and recovery support, and completing treatment
- Increase the number of young and vulnerable people safeguarded
- Reduce reoffending among drug users
- Reduce the drugs supply in the county
- Reduce the costs for local health services and police forces by lowering the number of drug users in the area
Middlesbrough, Hastings, Blackpool and Swansea Bay are the four other pilot locations. The project aims to allow each location to support and learn from each other as the pilot runs.