AQW 4282/22-27


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 07/10/2022
Answered On Date: 18/10/2022
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice (i) for her assessment of the level of drug-related activity in Limavady; (ii) how this has changed in recent years; and (iii) to detail what resources her Department has provided to the area in order to reduce drug-related activity.


Answer:
Data on drug related and drug misuse deaths at local government district level is published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency on behalf of the Department of Health and can be found at: Drug-Related and Drug-Misuse Deaths 2010-2020 | Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (nisra.gov.uk). The PSNI also provide statistics on drugs seizures across district council areas on a quarterly basis: Drug Seizure Statistics | PSNI
From a criminal justice perspective, it is not possible to accurately assess the full extent of drug related activity as not all those engaged in such activity will come into contact with the justice system. Moreover, the assessment of, and response to, any criminal activity is primarily an operational matter for the Chief Constable. The PSNI has advised that under Operation DEALBREAKER, it will continue to work with partners to prevent drugs coming into our communities, protect the most vulnerable from harm, and pursue those involved in drugs criminality.
My Department, through the work of the Organised Crime Task Force (OCTF), supports the ongoing efforts of the OCTF drugs subgroup, which provides a forum for operational partners to monitor trends and respond to issues relating to illegal drugs.
At a community level, Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSPs), funded by my Department and the Northern Ireland Policing Board, take a lead on the operational response to these issues.
Actions currently being delivered by Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP include early intervention initiatives, increased engagement with local Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams (DACTs), information sharing between the PCSP and PSNI, the holding of public PCSP meetings to raise awareness of issues, public information campaigns, educational programmes delivered to post-primary schools (including on drink-spiking) and the installation of RAPID bins.