Devon & Cornwall police launch 'Be Safe' drug advice cards

Police are launching a new advice card across Devon and Cornwall, aiming to throw a lifeline to people with drug and alcohol problems.

As part of  National Tackling Drugs Week (May 19-23), the initiative is being rolled out to all front-line staff, including neighbourhood policing teams, traffic officers and those involved in operations such as executing drug warrants. The cards will be given to anyone who shows signs of substance misuse. They carry the telephone numbers of professional support networks which can offer treatment to help people with drug and alcohol problems.

The aim of the cards is to provide vulnerable people with the right contact numbers when, or if, they need help and treatment to deal with their dependency. They will include telephone numbers for support agencies Devon and Torbay Drugs, Devon Alcohol, Torbay Alcohol, Plymouth Drugs and Alcohol and Cornwall Drugs and Alcohol.

Police say getting problematic drug users into treatment keeps them safe and is proven to reduce crime, particularly types of acquisitive crime including shoplifting, burglary and vehicle crime. Around three-quarters of crack and heroin users claim they commit crimes to feed their habit.

The 'Be Safe' cards and posters advertising treatment services have already been introduced into the police's custody centres. Anyone being released from custody who is thought to have problems with substance misuse or dependency is offered a direct referral to local drugs and alcohol agencies. If they refuse the offer, they are still provided with the 'Be Safe' card in case they decide they need help at a later date.

For the rest of this story from the Plymouth Evening Herald click here