Tower Hamlets launches substance misuse strategy

A new campaign aimed at tackling drug and alcohol misuse in the East End was launched by Tower Hamlets Deputy Mayor Ohid Ahmed on Wednesday (July 4).

The launch of the Tower Hamlets Substance Misuse Strategy 2012-2015 represents the council’s first attempt to address drug and alcohol abuse together, and is the product of a joint venture with the NHS, the police, the fire service and the probation service.

Speaking at the launch in the Davenant Centre, Whitehcapel Road, Deputy Mayor Ohid Amed expressed his hope the project would benefit the wider community, as well as those suffering from addiction.

He said: “This strategy will ensure that individuals suffering from substance misuse are given the help and support needed to recover and integrate into the wider community, reducing the harm they cause to themselves and others.”

The three-year programme aims to increase awareness of support available, help with mental health problems which arise through substance abuse and help with reintegration into society after recovery.

Dr Somen Banerjee, Joint Director of Public Health for Tower Hamlets, added: “Substance misuse poses a threat to the health and wellbeing of not only the individual but their families, friends and the wider community.

“The purpose of this strategy is to develop a partnership across the borough which works to systematically reduce the impact of substance misuse on our population.”