Slough Borough Council will be working in partnership with local agencies this month to raise awareness of the negative impacts of drug misuse as part of National Tackling Drugs Week.
A week of events has been organised from 8 to 12 June, and the Slough Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) will be hosting a number of workshops and activities, drug awareness and crime prevention stands from 10am to 2pm, at:
* MyCouncil and Asda on Monday 8 June
* Wexham Park Hospital forecourt on Tuesday 9 June
* Queensmere Shopping Centre, outside Debenhams on Thursday 11 June
* Tesco Superstore on Wellington Street, on Thursday 11 June
The Slough stalls will be staffed by health activists who will provide information and literature for drug and alcohol misuse.
Also taking place during the week of events is a mock Slough court where magistrate and probation staff will be giving residents the opportunity to be the judge and sentence a serious drug crime scenario.
Selected members of local Neighbourhood Action Groups will be able to decide whether the offender goes to prison or is given a community sentence.
On Friday 12 June there will be a stall at the entrance of the Bath Road retail park (B&Q, Next, Mcdonalds) from 10am to 2pm highlighting asset recovery. This is the process by which a police team works to retrieve illegal earnings from drug dealers.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) will be on site to promote Too Much Bling? Give Us a Ring, a scheme which encourages members of the public to report suspicions about people who appear to be wealthy despite any evidence of a legitimate income.
Between April 2008 and March 2009, criminal assets worth several hundred thousand pounds were forfeited and confiscated by TVP. A large percentage of seizures were made in connection with drugs offences, with the remainder resulting from fraud and theft cases.
The government will return a percentage of the money to the force. It will be used to fight crime and fund the training of more financial investigators in the short term, with long-term plans to put the money toward community based projects.
Other key activities include a Slough service open day at T2 Turning Point on Wednesday 10 June, between 12pm and 2pm.
T2 is a rapid, accessible and confidential service for anyone over 18 who wants to reduce, stabilise or stop using drugs. It’s the single point of contact which gives Slough residents access to other drugs treatment services following an assessment.
Amy Jaques, DAAT project officer for Slough Borough Council, said: “We have been working in partnership with Thames Valley Police, Health Activists and local drug support organisations to show people help is out there.
“With this week of events, information stalls and interactive activities we hope to highlight the range of services on offer for residents who need support.”
For more information, please contact Amy Jaques on 01753 875579 or email amy.jaques@slough.gov.uk.
Slough Borough Council
