Substance misuse

The Community Safety Partnership team works closely with Richmond Police to reduce the availability of drugs locally.

Drugs in Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames has one of the lowest recorded drug rates across the Metropolitan Police Service, with 4.2 offences per 1000 population during 2008/09 (5th lowest borough in London).The rate of drug offences is often generated by police activity. The more police activity is targeted on.drugs, the more offences are recorded, so trends do not necessarily reflect a rising or falling drugs problem.

During National Drugs Week the Council, Police, NHS and partners work together to increase public confidence by raising awareness of local services for drug users and of work being done to reduce drug-related crime.

The 2008/09 Place Survey shows that fewer residents are worried about drugs than two years ago.The Place Survey asks a cross sample of local residents how they feel about their local area and public services. The provisional results are that only 10% feel that people using or dealing drugs is a problem. This compares to 17% in 2006/07. The comparative figure London-wide is 37%.

Cocaine and cannabis

Although 73% of drug offences in the borough in 2007/8 were for cannabis possession, finds of powder cocaine have been increasing. Many people do not realise how addictive it can be and may also be unaware of the environmental destruction in Colombia being caused by the trade. The Home Office has given us funding for work with young people to raise awareness of the effects of cocaine, both on health and wider community issues. They have produced a Cocaine Lottery poster and made a film for Community TV.

Did you know

The law on cannabis changed in 2010? It is now classified as a Class B drug.

Information and advice on drugs

If you think you or someone you know has a drug problem and you would like general information or advice, please visit Talk to Frank or telephone the National Drugs Helpline on 0800 77 66 00.

For information on adult treatment services in Richmond borough, telephone: 020 8891 0161 or browse Richmond's Substance Misuse Services Directory(pdf, 126KB)

Advice and support for young people and thier families is provided by London Borough of Richmond and Royal Borough of Kingston's Young People's Substance Misuse Service.

Telephone 020 8547 6920 (ask for the Substance Misuse Service)

email drugandalcoholteam@richmond.gov.uk,

or this page has links to more sources of drugs advice for families.