EUKN - United Kingdom - Chester-le-Street District Council Drug Treatment Project

Chester-le-Street District Council Drug Treatment Project

Introduction

Chester-le-Street District Council runs a drug project which reaches a group of persistent offenders and focuses on programmes designed around the needs of individuals.

Problem

The aim of the drug treatment project is to help people with substance misuse problems, to improve and re-build their lives. It introduces them to existing support services and the help they need to lead drug-free lives.

Description

This project:

reveals that Chester-le-Street has a successful drug project which reaches a group of persistent offenders and focuses on programmes designed around the needs of individuals;
identifies critical success factors as well as some barriers and challenges arising;
notes that working with drug users is a long term commitment, where funding needs to be sustainable;
emphasises that expanding the work of the drug treatment programme cannot be achieved without securing long-term funding for another resource or support worker.

Approach

The underlying approach is needs-led with ‘services going to the user’. It is coordinated by a support worker, and also involves a variety of organisations such as: housing, the NHS substance misuse team, harm minimisation teams, employment agencies, and leisure services.

Target group

Persistent offenders who are also chaotic drug users.

Results

Chester-le-Street District Council has a successful drug treatment project, which reaches a group of persistent offenders. It is therefore highly relevant to the safer communities agenda.

Beneficiaries

Persistent offenders who are also chaotic drug users.

Resources used

The right Support Workers in the key contact roles is seen as crucial to the success of the programme, as is sustainable funding for Resource and Support Workers to deliver the programme.

Contact info

Chester-le-Street District Council
Emma Golightly (Community Development Health Officer), tel. +44 191 387 2046

Project start date

01/09/2003

Links

Chester-le-Street District Council

Chester-le-Street District Council drug treatment project (PDF, Eng, 110KB)

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Security & crime prevention > Anti-crime policy

Keywords

Drug crime