23/05/2006
`Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives` Market Stall Event in Williamson Square
The six month long Home Office campaign `Tackling Drugs, Changing Lives`, has given Liverpool's Drugs and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), part of Citysafe (Liverpool's Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership) an opportunity to celebrate local drug action projects; to raise awareness of the harms caused to individuals and communities by illegal drugs, and the positive action being undertaken by the many and diverse drugs service providers across the city.
The campaign has culminated in a National Tackling Drugs Day on 23rd May 2006 in Liverpool City Centre. Drug treatment/care providers across Liverpool set up `Market Stalls` in Williamson Square in the heart of the city to showcase their service provision to the people who live, work and visit the City of Liverpool.
A range of drug services participated in the event including services for young people as well as services providing education, training and accommodation support. One of the aims of the event was to promote local services and the range of support which is available, as many people perceive drug treatment as just prescribing for methadone. Councillor Dave Antrobus (Executive Member for Community Safety) said: "This event will help clear up some of the mysteries about the wide range of treatments available to get people off drugs and help ex-users play a full role in society".
City Centre shoppers and residents had an opportunity to talk to drug service providers about reducing the harm that drugs can cause to their friends, family and communities in which they live.
There is no doubt that through all of the efforts of service providers in Liverpool, the Government's Drug Strategy is beginning to deliver tangible benefits in communities through partnership working at local levels. Mark Gilman, Manager of the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse said: "There have been great improvements in the quantity and quality of drug treatment available in Liverpool. More drug addicts are getting into drug treatment and, thanks to the range of treatments available; more people are getting out of drug treatment and getting on with their lives".
Statistics show that there are an estimated 6,170 problematic drug users in Liverpool, of which more than 4,350 have accessed treatment in the last year.
Sue Neely, Manager of Liverpool's Drugs and Alcohol Action Team said:
"This initiative has provided an opportunity to showcase much of the good work that is happening in this city. Drug abuse is blight on society, but our committed highly skilled workers help to transform people's lives".
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