Concerned about drugs?

National Tackling Drugs Week from 8th to 12th June, is a national event for local agencies to raise awareness of the work being carried out to tackle drugs and reduce drug related crime in our communities.  

During this week an exhibition was on display at Wycombe District Council giving information on how the Police, local authorities, Drug and Alcohol Action Teams, voluntary agencies and youth workers are all working together to tackle drugs.  Councillor Katrina Wood, WDC's Cabinet Member for Community Services commented: "We are tackling drugs because they ruin lives, cause crime and anti-social behaviour. National Tackling Drugs Week gives us the opportunity to show local residents what help and information is available and how we will continue to work together, with our partners, for a safer community."

The Buckinghamshire Drug and Alcohol Team (DAAT) successfully applied for funding for two officers to work across the County to increase the take up of treatment services and raise the awareness and knowledge base of those from the African/Caribbean, Asian, travellers and gay, bi-sexual, lesbian and transgender communities.  This followed a local needs assessment which established that these communities do not take up the local treatment services available, as much as we would expect.

This team has already been successful in reaching these communities through events such as the one held at The Sands Seventh Day Adventist Church  where over 100 people gathered to hear a talk by an ex-user now educator, in which he engaged the black community in raising awareness of the treatment and support for members in their community that are affected by drugs.  

The African Forum Health Jamboree held back in May, resulted in over 250 members of the African and Caribbean community attending and an education drug box had over 120 visits and stimulated a lot of questions. 

15 volunteers were recruited from both events, who will be trained in Drug Awareness.  Community involvement in this project focuses on the risks associated with getting involved in drug dealing and misusing.  These volunteers will gain new skills, knowledge and experience through the volunteering scheme, resulting in them providing mentoring, facilitating at public events, sitting on advisory meetings and in some cases may lead to paid employment.  If you are interested in volunteering please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it