On the one year anniversary of a ground-breaking project to tackle drugs crime, Merseyside’s Police and Crime Commissioner has praised the scheme and the results it has achieved.
As part of Project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery), Merseyside Police were given £1.6m last year.
The project is still in early stages and will be funded until March 2025.
Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Project Adder is marking one year of operation and the early results are really pleasing to see.
“I have made early intervention a priority in my Police and Crime Plan and I have seen first-hand the brilliant work of Project Adder teams and the difference they are making for individuals and communities.”
The ongoing project is a joint effort by the Home Office, Public Health England and the Department for Health and Social Care.
According to the PCC’s office, there were 1489 arrests made for drug-related offences between July and December 2021 and 1481 of those arrests were referred to a drug referral agency.
The county also saw a reduction of drug-related offences by 4.7% in 2021.
Councillor Frazer Lake, cabinet member for Liverpool Council’s Social Care and Health said: “Liverpool Adder funding has strengthened drug treatment in the city and has allowed resources to work differently and collaboratively to support vulnerable people.”
Councillor Lake added: “This partnership approach allows the focus to be on the issue and not just crime – enabling people to learn how to move away from criminal activities.”
£2.8 million to fight high rates of drug-related deaths in Wirral
