£200K funding boost to combat drug use in Dorset

Dorset has been selected to receive Government funding worth £200K to reduce demand for illicit substances in a study to research and develop interventions with young people that can be tested locally.

The funding is part of a 10-year plan Government plan to cut crime and save lives by reducing the supply and demand for drugs and delivering a high-quality treatment and recovery system. It comes from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under the Innovation Fund to Reduce Demand for Illicit Substances (RDIS)

Dorset is one of just five areas to receive the funding.  The other four projects are in Huddersfield, Derbyshire, Manchester, and the Southeast of England.

The Government’s Innovation Fund, worth £5 million in total, will be available across 2 further phases over the coming years as part of the Government’s plans to reduce the demand for drugs as well as drive down the illegal and exploitative supply chain, anti-social behaviour, and wider crime.

Working in partnership with Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council will use the funding to explore and investigate drug use amongst young people and develop preventative programmes and support to reduce their vulnerability to illegal substances.

The funding builds on the The government’s drug strategy, published in December 2021, which sets out ambitions to significantly increase the capacity of treatment and recovery services and achieve real change in overall drug use.

It is estimated that, over the first 3 years of the strategy, the additional investment in treatment and recovery will prevent nearly 1,000 drug-related deaths – reversing the upward trend in drug deaths for the first time in a decade.

Cllr Byron Quayle, Portfolio Holder for People – Children, Education, Skills & Early Help, said: “It is crucial that we provide young people in Dorset with high-quality support and reach out to those at risk of drug use.

“Drug misuse has a massive cost to society. Not only does it impact the user but also their loved ones and society around them.

“We are strongly committed to reducing demand for illicit substances and provide early intervention to prevent the poor outcomes that result from drug use.”

Cathi Hadley, Corporate Director, Children’s Services at BCP Council said: “We are sure that by following the Government‘s 10 Year Plan and with this vital funding we will be able to reduce the supply and demand of drugs, save lives, cut crime and anti-social behaviour right across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

“Research into young people’s drug use will support the development of high-quality preventative programmes and the grant will dramatically increase capacity in treatment and recovery services.

“Working with our partners at Dorset Police, the charity sector and the NHS we are determined to bring down the incidence of drug usage among young people throughout our community.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, said “I am delighted that Dorset is one of five areas to be awarded funding from the Governments Innovation Fund to reduce demand for illicit substances. In Dorset, we have both Operation Viper and Operation Scorpion working together to take robust action to cut supply lines and send a clear message that Dorset is no place for drugs.

“However, enforcement is only part of the solution, to truly combat the issue of illegal drug use, we also need effective treatment and rehabilitation, as well as impactful education. These elements are key to keeping our young people away from illegal gateway drugs and are exactly what this funding will be used for.”