Alcohol, drugs and substance misuse
Overview
Problematic drug and alcohol use can cause a lot of harm to the individual, the family, the local community and to society as a whole.
To create safe environments free from drug and alcohol misuse we work in partnership with other organisations to address the various problems caused.
Derby and Derbyshire Drug and Alcohol Strategic Partnership
In 2021, the Government launched the National Drug Strategy: From Harm to Hope.
The strategy aims to combat illegal drugs by reducing the supply of drugs, changing attitudes towards drug use and providing people with high-quality support to achieve a drug-free life. The priorities of the national strategy are:
Priority 1: Break drug supply chains.
Priority 2: Deliver a world-class treatment and recovery system.
Priority 3: Achieve a generational shift in the demand for drugs.
The Council is part of the Derby and Derbyshire Drug and Alcohol Strategic Partnership which is a multi-agency partnership that aims to tackle drug and alcohol-related harm and support the delivery of the national strategy at a local level.
What does the Council do to reduce the harm caused by drug and alcohol use?
The Council is involved in a range of partnership activities such as:
- removing needles and drug-related litter as part of the street cleaning programme
- issuing licences for the sale and supply of alcohol
- supporting pharmacy services through needle and syringe programmes
- buying services that help people to recover from drug and alcohol use
- overseeing partnership work to manage the night-time economy
- working with Derbyshire Constabulary to reduce the supply of illegal drugs
- working with Police Safe Neighbourhood Teams to address antisocial behaviour issues caused by drugs and alcohol
- working with schools and local health services to educate young people about the harm of drugs and alcohol
- safeguarding children and vulnerable adults affected by drug and alcohol use.
Derby and Derbyshire local drug information system
Do we ever really know what is in an illicit substance? Whether it’s a fake tablet, white powder or dodgy vape, unregulated products can vary by strength and substance. Taking any illicit drug can be risky but when it turns out to be something different to what was expected there can be devastating consequences. People can become ill, hospitalised, and even die.
Sharing warnings about such drugs can often feel like a good thing to do but experience tells us that these messages can cause problems and can even advertise the substances they seek to warn about.
Following national guidance, Derby and Derbyshire Drug Alert Group have established a local drug information system (LDIS) which is designed to receive information about concerning substances, assess and grade risks, and, if needed, issue alerts to people who use drugs, and the organisations who come into contact with them.
A panel of local health, education, and law enforcement specialists will review information and, only when harm can be reduced, will they issue an alert. The alert will include the Derby and Derbyshire Drug Alert Group logo, giving reassurance that this information is relevant to the current local situation.
If you have a concern about a substance and want to make sure this is considered by the Derby and Derbyshire Drug Alert Group you can report it online using the LDIS reporting form.
If you receive a drug alert that does not originate from the Derby and Derbyshire Drug Alert Group, you should not share it any further. You should email it to: drugsupport@derbyshire.police.uk for review by the panel.