Case studies

NDS theme: Communities
Organisation/Region:  Reading DAT/South East     
Who funds it? DAT, Communities Against Drugs Funding (CAD)
Contact Name:  Julie Burnett 
Tel/email: 01189 390 900  julie.burnett@reading.gov.uk

Background/what the project does
Reading DAT operates various community projects aimed at forming better links with local residents groups in areas with drug mis-use problems. Part of the work involves monitoring 'hotspots' by collecting reports of discarded needles and other drug related paraphernalia.

The DAT recognised the need to improve this data collection because they were often reliant on council contracted litter pickers and gardeners for information on locations and numbers of needle finds, but the formal recording of these finds was not traditionally a part of their jobs. By enlisting the support of litter pickers and gardeners they were able to get accurate and regular information on locations.

They held a 'Litter Pickers Lunch' where they explained the importance of accurate reporting of needle finds to the workers. The resulting increase in information and monitoring enabled the DAT to highlight drugs 'hotspots' more accurately and to make a case for improvements and renovations to the children's play area in the Waterloo Meadow area of the town, which was the location for repeated drug activity.

By working with the Council Parks Department they were able to secure funding for the play area to be renovated and resurfaced, reducing the amount of drug use and making it to harder to conceal discarded paraphernalia.

What makes it different
A simple, low cost solution to gather useful information about drug use locations. By enlisting the support of litter pickers and gardeners, who would not normally see the connection between their work and drugs awareness issues, the team were able to make a children's play area safer and also improve the collection of useful monitoring information from across the town. They plan to hold these lunches every 6 months and extend the invitation to street wardens and other relevant staff.

Last Updated: 29/07/2003