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Taking treatment into the community

Taking Treatment into the Community

Project:  DERBYSHIRE DRUG MARKET PROJECT (DDMP)

NDS theme: Tackling Supply/Communities
Organisation/Region: Addaction, East Midlands   
Who funds it?  Invest to Save, with match funding from Police and the DAT
Contact Name: Sue Benton
Tel/email: 01773 512 984     ripley.cdw@addaction.org.uk

Background to the project
The Derbyshire Drug Market Project is the umbrella title for a partnership comprising the Community Outreach team run by Addaction, and the Drug Market Mapping Team (DMMT) run by the local constabulary.

The Community Outreach team focuses on treatment, community development and education, to enable the community to take control of their own area and 'have a voice' within local government. Its role is to provide treatment interventions and other appropriate responses within drug markets across Derbyshire and the City of Derby for periods of between three and six months duration.

The police operation involves identifying drug -hotspot' across the county, then gathering intelligence through test purchasing before carrying out a series of arrests once the Community Outreach team have set up a base in the area to provide treatment support.

The communities identified reflect a wide range of social, economic and cultural diversity. From inner city Derby to rural communities and communities affected by the disappearance of traditional industries. Apart from ensuring as many local drug users as possible are referred into treatment, the team work with local residents and community groups and provide training and education for Citizen' Advice workers, local volunteers, teachers and parents. Staff at pubs and clubs are also offered training on drug issues and dealing with drug-related emergencies. A team from Manchester University is independently evaluating the initiative.

What makes it different
A comprehensive approach means that the police operation is backed up by a wide range of support, helping the local community, getting local drug users into treatment and working with the police to ensure that dealers who are also users are referred to treatment where possible.

The outreach team set up a base within the community for the duration of each project and a key aim is to leave behind a community network that can continue some of the work started by the project. The team trained 150 parents on drug awareness issues in one project area alone.

Quotes
"Addaction Community Outreach Service is an important pilot project, because it takes treatment, education and community development out into the communities where it is needed. The team has a flexible approach, and is able to draw upon a diverse range of experience, allowing it to tackle a wide range of drug related issue".

Last Updated: 29/07/2003

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