Pilot scheme to tackle drug misuse and associated problems in Bristol

Bristol has been awarded almost £5m for a pilot scheme that aims to tackle drug misuse and associated crime that has “blighted lives for too long”.

Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery) is a new intensive approach to addressing problems caused by addiction, while providing more holistic support and recovery programmes.

The Home Office pilot is being trialled in a number of locations across the country with the aim of reducing drug-related crime and deaths.

Bristol City Council has been allocated £3.4m to provide those involved in drug use with enhanced treatment and recovery programmes, as well as additional employment and training opportunities. Targeted support for prison leavers and offenders with drug addictions will also be provided, along with support for families affected by drug use who are at risk of being involved with the criminal justice system.

A further £1.5m has been allocated for Avon and Somerset Police as part of the work to protect people who are vulnerable to drug-related crime and “develop enhanced, coordinated law enforcement activity to disrupt drug supply in the city and reduce drug-related harm and offending”.

Speaking about the project, Asher Craig, the deputy mayor with responsibility for communities, equalities and public health, said: “We want Bristol to be a place where everyone can live safe from the harms caused by drug misuse. The impact of addiction goes beyond the users themselves and often extends to their families, loved ones, wider communities, services and businesses.

“Tackling this wider sphere of impact sits at the heart of our new drug and alcohol strategy, which aims to improve the support for everyone.

“This funding will enable us to meet the actions set in the new strategy and comes at a vital time. The pressures of the pandemic continue to have a detrimental impact on people’s lives and in some cases have created an environment where we are seeing a rise in drug use.”

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The multi-agency project will include Bristol ROADS (Recovery Orientated Alcohol and Drugs Service), a partnership between Bristol Drug Project, Developing Health and Independence and the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.

Force bosses say their approach to Project ADDER involves investment in additional kit and tools needed to step up enforcement. Officers will increase high visibility patrols of ‘hot spot areas’ and engage in targeted days and weeks of action.

Working alongside experts from health and substance misuse organisations, they will arrest those suspected of drug dealing, but also support vulnerable people to get the help and support they need.

The funding allows police to bring in expertise, such as mental health specialists. Avon and Somerset Police have already commissioned the St Giles Trust to build a network of community mentors to work with young people and offer support to help prevent them from being exploited by criminal gangs.

Bristol commander superintendent Mark Runacres said: “For far too long, drug taking, dealing and the associated anti-social behaviour and crime has blighted the lives of too many people in Bristol.

“Whether it’s a parent walking their child to school passing used needles, a family living in a flat next door to persistent drug dealing, or a vulnerable person being exploited by ruthless drug dealers, we are all too with familiar with the harm and misery that drugs cause in our communities.

“Our approach will use the local knowledge of neighbourhood policing teams, who understand their communities and the specific problems which need to be addressed. We need to balance enforcement with diversion and education to make lasting change.

“We’ll improve pathways to support and grow existing pathways to support for the most entrenched and problematic drugs users in the city. This is an opportunity to break the cycle of misery that all too often goes hand in hand with drugs misuse and dealing.”

Bristol Drug Project is a member of the ROADS partnership – Photo courtesy of Bristol Drug Project

The project has already been piloted in several locations across the UK and now Bristol will be one of six accelerator sites, building on existing work and expanding multi-agency partnership working, taking a system-wide approach to the problem and aiming to improve health and crime outcomes related to drugs.

Dr Ben Watson, a consultant addiction psychiatrist at ROADS, added: “The ROADS partnership currently offer a range of free services to support recovery. This funding is very welcome and will enable the partnership to offer additional therapeutic interventions and support that will help not only the individuals themselves, but also the people and communities surrounding them.”

Photo by Joab Smith

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