Anniversary of Greater Glasgow Division drugs strategy
Today marks one year since Greater Glasgow Division launched a local strategy aiming to tackle drug related deaths.
The strategy features a 12 month delivery plan looking at how Police Scotland’s largest division can maximise the role of policing to support the wider public health led approach to drug deaths.
Despite the coronavirus pandemic having a strong impact on what could be achieved, a number of objectives were delivered and continue to be developed.
The strategy group – which includes social work, NHS and senior local police officers - has met regularly to discuss current drug trends, share anecdotal information and understand how certain police activity might affect harm reduction work being carried out by partners.
Officers have been working with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership to help support and understand their approach to providing assistance to people with drug-related issues who are currently being housed in city centre hotels.
Two custody peer mentors joined the Positive Outcomes Project (POP) - a Police Scotland led initiative that offers support to offenders with addictions and referrals to partner agencies. The peer mentors are used in Greater Glasgow Division custody suites to give detainees the opportunity to access support specific to their needs. It comes after a successful joint funding bid was submitted to the Corra Foundation in partnership with Glasgow City’s Health and Social Care Partnership and the charity Aid and Abet.
The custody peer mentors have lived experience of addiction and it is hoped they will help reduce stigma and raise awareness of referral options amongst police officers and custody staff. Since January 2021, they’ve spoken to around 60 people in Glasgow custody suites and 32 have accepted outreach assistance.
Superintendent Gary I’Anson, strategy lead, said: “Drug related deaths is an extremely complicated issue and there isn’t a quick solution to this.
“Over the past year we introduced a local strategy tailored to policing, to try and maximise our role as police officers in supporting that public health led approach.
“One key aim is to improve referrals so people are offered help from the most appropriate agency. Police Scotland can’t completely solve the problem around drug related deaths but it’s about looking at what we can do to reduce stigma and understand the trauma that is often behind addiction.
“We will look to continue this strategy to reduce the harm caused by drugs and help police officers carry out their job by focusing on a long term solution to this problem.”
Jim McBride, Head of Adult Services at Glasgow’s Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “A shared, joint approach has been crucial to helping vulnerable people with addiction issues who come into contact with the police.
“Working collaboratively has considerably improved partnerships, allowing for better responses that improve treatment and care outcomes for people, whilst at the same time, balancing improvements to community safety. The HSCP remains committed to supporting this strategic approach.”
