Drugs In Semilong Northampton

Hearing another resident speak recently at the Semilong Forum and talking of a walk he had around our community, he stated "I didn't see any needles which is good" The fact that there were not any needles on the pavements or roads was remarkable to him.

SEMILONG.ORG looks forward to the time that even the thought of seeing a dirty needle would not even occur to anyone. Perhaps one day it will happen.

Does Semilong Have a Drug Problem?

Anyone doubt that drugs have a major influence on our community?

• Crime, whether it be theft, burglary, robbery, shop theft, is committed sometimes to get the money to pay for drugs.
• Crime particularly violent crime is sometimes committed whilst the person is high on drugs, or certainly under the influence of them.
• Drugs are bought and sold on the streets of our community as is shown by the media reports of crime and arrests made.
• Smoking cannabis is still seen as `cool` by the teenagers and they can sometimes be seen in our community grinding the newly bought cannabis, getting it ready to smoke. The same people who sell them perhaps sell other drugs as well. So our young people are at greater risk of trying more serious drugs.
• Prostitution which has blighted our community for years is often to pay for drugs.
• Dirty syringes, burnt foil, or discarded makeshift pipes sometimes add to our litter problem and pose a health and safety risk.

Be under no illusion, drugs are in our community and the effect of it is crime, prostitution and misery.

A Drug Free Semilong Northampton?

We want our community to be safer and drug free. This cannot be achieved unless:

• Both young and old are educated about drugs.
• Drug users are brought into educating others about drugs. No-one can put a person off drugs like a drug user, so why not use their experiences to educate others?
• Community and police must communicate with each other about drugs and crime.
• The police and the courts must take tougher action on any illegal drug.
• There must also be a general heightened awareness of the drug problem in our community.

That way, those who come into our community to supply or use drugs cannot act under a cloak of secrecy. People will know what they are doing and therefore, dealers and users will go where it is safer with the result that less and less people will have their lives ruined by drugs in our neighbourhood.

SEMILONG.ORG will, until then, include the details and where possible the photographs of those that bring this terrible danger into our community, [read the articles here]

Need Help Or Advice?

CAN is an agency which provides a range of drug, alcohol and homelessness services throughout our region.

SEMILONG.ORG are pleased to support the work of CAN and provide cost free web space to this organisation.

(See here for more details on CAN)

THORN

The Heroin Overdose Reduction Network

`Sharing your stories with staff can help us try to keep others safe`

Please share what you hear about heroin overdoses, we don't want names just helpful local information.

spread the word..

Overdoses - Why do people think they overdosed & what medical treatment did they receive?

Strength - Changes in local heroin strength, weaker or stronger brings increased risks of overdose.

Description - Changes in the appearance of heroin when bought or prepared may help link batches with overdoses.

Availability - Lack or increase often changes the way heroin is taken & the other drugs taken with it.

Other - Anything you think we ought to know to try to keep others safe & reduce heroin overdoses in Northamptonshire.

March 2009
Spread the word.... Overdose

Ambulance crews carry narcan (naloxone) for people who have overdosed on heroin, methadone or opiate medications. It reverses the effects of the opiates and could save your life.

Its effects only last for a short time, often less than the opiates so there is a risk you will fall unconscious again as it wears off.

Even though you may feel unwell, using opiates again too soon can put you at risk of another overdose

Stay with the ambulance crew or A&E staff to be checked on until they say you are out of danger.

999 SAVES LIVES