County Durham PCC takes seat on government forum on drug reform.

County Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has been invited to join a new national forum to help drive the delivery of drugs reform over the next ten years.

The Commissioner, who is Joint National Lead for Addictions and Substance Misuse on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has been appointed as a lead delivery partner on the Drugs Strategy Ministerial Forum.

She will join a host of MPs, delivery partners and expert advisers including Dame Carole Black, the Government’s Independent Advisor on Drugs, in pushing through the delivery of the ten-year Drugs Strategy: From Harm to Hope which aims to cut crime and save lives.

Alongside her APCC portfolio colleague, Dorset PCC David Sidwick, and other Board members, the Commissioner will be responsible for tracking progress of drug strategy priorities and steering future work to ensure the approach to drug harm remains as effective as possible in the long-term.

Commenting on her appointment, Commissioner Allen said: “I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important work and ensure future services and investment delivers the positive change that has been promised.

“Tackling drug use and drug dealing are the two highest priorities for people living in County Durham and Darlington and so this role will enable me to amplify those concerns at the highest level – in the heart of Westminster.

“Drugs fuel so much of the crime and anti-social behaviour on our streets, destroying the lives of individuals, families and communities. The root of these problems runs deep, and we must work harder to promote recovery and ensure high-quality treatment is available for all who need it, including those with addictions who are already in our criminal justice system. This of course has to be backed up with rigorous enforcement to disrupt the supply chain and ensure those who exploit vulnerable people and bring serious violence to our streets pay for the damage they wreak on society.

“In my role as Police and Crime Commissioner and the APCC’s Joint Lead for Addictions and Substance Misuse, I have used my voice to push for national change to help protect our young people from the clutches of drug dealers and prevent further unnecessary deaths. This is a once in a generation opportunity to make a difference and I stand ready to play my part.”

Drug deaths caused by drug misuse remain at a high level in the North East.

County Durham was one of the first forces in the country to provide naloxone kits – a medication to reverse the effects of an overdose - to high-risk individuals in custody.

The Government’s 10-year Drugs Strategy sets out three core priorities; to break drug supply chains, deliver a world-class treatment and recovery system and achieve a shift in the demand for recreational drugs.

The strategy aims to strengthen the response across the drug supply chain and make the UK a significantly harder place for organised groups to operate while investing a further £780m to rebuild drug treatment and recovery services including those for young people and offenders. The strategy includes £300m which will be spent on cracking down on criminals and supply chains to help cut drug-related crimes.

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