Substance misuse

We aim to reduce the availability of drugs locally. The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) team works very closely with Richmond Police to achieve this.

Cocaine

Although 73% of drug offences in the borough in 2007/8 were for cannabis possession, finds of powder cocaine have been increasing. Well-heeled Richmond residents may 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.

Lowest rate of drug offences in London

In 2006/7 Richmond upon Thames had the lowest number of drug offences per 1,000 population across London but in a recent Public Attitude Survey, 10% of respondents thought drugs in Richmond are a problem.

National Tackling Drugs Week: 8-12 June 2009

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

• Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams will be displaying information about Richmond's adult drug treatment services(pdf, 143KB) in pubs and clubs
• Drug awareness packs which include Cocaine Lottery posters(pdf, 578KB) designed by local young people are being sent to schools and youth clubs.
• M&S in Teddington and Waitrose in Twickenham have generously donated several kilos of fruit to the council’s Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Support Team. The fruit will carry stickers about where to get drugs advice and will be handed out to young people in Twickenham and Hampton after school on Tuesday afternoon.
• The Police will have drugs information stalls at Richmond station (Tuesday evening), Twickenham station (Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 2pm and Friday 3pm to 8pm) and Teddington station (Friday 10am to 3pm).

Did you know

The law on cannabis has changed? It has been reclassified from a Class C to a Class B drug.

More information on the National Drugs Strategy:

• www.drugs.gov.uk
• www.nta.nhs.uk

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 services in Richmond borough

Telephone: 020 8891 0161 for adults
Telephone: 020 8878 4887 for young people or visit www.sorted4.info