Drugs
& Alcohol
The Tendring Drug and Alcohol Reference Group, or DARG
is responsible for delivering the Government’s anti-drug and alcohol
strategies in the Tendring Area. The group provides a platform to share
best practice, sharing news and information, and to drive forward its
own strategies to combat Tendring Drug and Alcohol Misuse.
Members of the Tendring group come from a wide range of local agencies
across the voluntary and non-voluntary sectors. They work together to
reduce drug and alcohol misuse and the problems that they cause the local
community.
The primary contact for all drug and alcohol related issues in Tendring
and Colchester is a vacant post at this present moment in time.
The National Drug Strategy consists of four themes that
Essex DAAT (Drug and Alcohol Action Team) Partnership address at county
and at locality level, working closely with the DAAT the four themes that
the Tendring DARG focus upon are;
- Young People
(Essex is a Pilot High focus Area)
- Availability/reducing supply
(including Criminal Justice and the DIP Programme)
- Treatment and harm minimisation
(Budget uplift 2006-7 41%)
- Communities (that includes the diversity
agenda and also community consultation and involvement)
EDAP Strategic Plan 2008/2011
The plan provides all partners with the 11 key objectives
that the partnership will strive to achieve over the next 3 years.
Download a copy of the EDAP Strategic Plan 2008/2011.
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About Drugs and Alcohol
Taking drugs can have unpredictable results
and serious health consequences.
- Combining drugs and alcohol will significantly increase
health risks which can vary greatly person to person.
- Drugs can cost you more than just your health; you
could be subjected to a search if a police officer suspects that you
have illegal drugs in your possession.
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Cannabis and the Law
CANNABIS IS AND WILL REMAIN
ILLEGAL
- Cannabis is illegal to possess, supply and grow and
it is still harmful.
- The Home Secretary has recommended that cannabis
should be reclassified to a Class B drug.
- The decision reflects the fact that skunk, a much
stronger version of the drug, now dominates the UK's cannabis market.
- Possession of a small ‘personal quantity’,
may lead to a warning or caution on a first occasion. You may, however,
still be exposed to the possibility of a prison sentence or hefty fine
depending on the circumstance.
- The term ‘supplying’ includes passing
a joint to a friend.
- A serious offence of supplying can get you up to
14 years in prison and an unlimited fine. You could be arrested if you
smoke cannabis in a public place, or near to where children are (schools,
youth clubs) or where public order may be at risk.
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Alcohol
ALCOHOL IS A VERY STRONG
DRUG
Drinking a lot of alcohol can be bad for your health,
especially ‘binge drinking’ and can lead to problems such
as crime, drunkenness, disorder and violence. This could lead to you being
arrested.
- Approximately half of ALL violent crime is alcohol
related.
- Alcohol misuse kills thousands more people than all
illegal drugs put together.
- You can be arrested for being Drunk and Disorderly,
which can leave you with a criminal record
- Heavy drinking can cause health problems such as
liver damage, brain, stomach and pancreas damage, kidney and bladder
problems.
- Too much alcohol can make you feel invincible when
you are at your most vulnerable.
- It is illegal to BUY or SELL alcohol to anyone UNDER
18.
IN THE CASE OF SUSPECTED
OVERDOSE ALWAYS DIAL 999
Drugs
and Alcohol Information Services in Essex
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FACT:
Passing drugs amongst friends is supplying in the eyes of the law.
FACT: Allowing people to
take cannabis in your house or any other premises is illegal.
FACT: A drug conviction
could stand between you and your ideal job, a place at university, or
visiting some countries, e.g. America and Australia.
Contact one of the local services such
as for advice and/or information or see the Homeoffice
website for more info.
The report below presents the findings of Ipsos MORI’s
online survey of drinking behaviour and
attitudes towards alcohol, conducted on behalf of the East of England
Public Health Group.
East
of England Big Drink Debate Survey 2008/09
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