UKP 400,000 BOOST FOR FIGHT AGAINST DRUG-RELATED CRIME

THE fight against drugs in Croydon has been boosted by almost UKP400,000
from the Home Office.

Last week the Government announced Croydon is one of just six places
in the country picked to take part in a new scheme to cut drug-related
crime.

It is good news for Croydon Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), which
gets to decide how the money is spent, and has long been looking to
break the link between drug abuse and crime.

Andy Opie, from Croydon DAAT, said: "This is excellent news for
Croydon and it's a lot of money.

"We have been included based on our drug-related crime statistics.
This means the number of people arrested for drug offences, and for
acquisitive crimes such as burglary and shoplifting."

The Criminal Justice Interventions Programme is already up and running
in 30 areas in England.

The scheme targets offenders committing crimes to feed their drug
habit, who are identified through drug testing when charged by the
police, referred to drug workers while in police custody, and then
guided into treatment.

Its main aim is to get drug users who turn to crime into treatment and
away from the cycle of crime and addiction