By The Student View Reporters
There has been a 46% increase in drug possession and trafficking crimes in Bradford over the last five years.
In 2014, there were 1,171 drug-related crimes of this nature, but in 2018 this figure had almost doubled, to 1,717.
Yet while the synthetic drug Spice has made headline news for its devastating impact on other cities, particularly in the north, Bradford counted just 10 recorded spice related crimes over the same five year period.
There were no recorded crimes in 2014 and 2015, which rose to just 2 recorded in 2016, and 4 recorded in both 2017 and 2018 respectively.
Harry Shapiro, from DrugWise, said “I think cuts in local government spending through austerity are really beginning to bite as they apply to homelessness, mental health problems and the money available for drug and alcohol services coupled with cuts in benefits - and the ability of the police to deal with day to day acquisitive crime.
"Those areas of the country suffering the worst impacts of poverty and deprivation are feeling this the most - mainly in the north.”
Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places said: “Any individual living in the Bradford District can access Bradford Council’s ‘New Directions Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service’ which is based in hubs across Bradford and Keighley.
"The aim of the service is to ensure these confidential services are accessible to everyone within community hubs, GP practices and other in discrete community venues.
"The service offers a single point of access to treatment for; Opiate and Crack Users, Alcohol, Addiction to prescribed and non-prescribed Medication and NPS (New Psychoactive Substances) and other substances of abuse including Spice. Support is provided through the service with any questions or concerns about prescription medications, alcohol, illegal drugs, 'dual diagnosis' and mental health, steroid use and more. It is a free service for adults including offenders, families and concerned others.”
By Alishba, 15, and Leonia, 15
The Telegraph & Argus has teamed up with journalism charity The Student View, which aims to aims to create pop-up newsrooms in schools across the UK to help improve media literacy among teenagers.
Bradford pupils have been researching and writing local news reports in workshops led by mentors and volunteer journalists, as part of a Google-sponsored project.
Speaking on why they chose to write about this topic, Alishba, 15, and Leonia, 15, both from Bradford, said. “It is important to us as we witness this increase on a daily basis. The Student View gives us the younger generation a voice to speak out.”
For more on The Student View, visit thestudentview.org.
TOP STORIES:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article