Education vital to fight problem, say police

The police district commander for Canterbury, Chief Inspector Mitchell Fox, said: “One drugs-related death is one too many and my officers continue to work hard to get drugs off our streets.

“Through the community safety unit, we work with those who support people suffering from drug addiction or are considered vulnerable to the risks of drug use.

“Educating those on the dangers of drug taking is also carried out.

“Where information about drugs-related activity in specific areas is received, warrants and stop and searches are carried out regularly in Canterbury and the coastal areas.

“Officers work to detect and deter drug dealers in order to bring them to court and we would urge those who believe there is drug-related activity in their street to continue to report any suspicious behaviour and help to keep Canterbury a safe place.”

City council spokesman Celia Glynn-williams added that closing the toilets at night would not help because drug-users would go elsewhere and it could cause a problem with people urinating in the street. She added: “Public toilets are inspected regularly throughout the day and any misuse reported.

“The evidence we are seeing points to a reduction in hard drugs use because our street cleaners are reporting fewer discarded needles and less in the sharps containers.

“We are also working with partner agencies in the education and prevention of drug misuse.”

For more information around reporting or seeking support in relation to drugs, visit kent.police.uk/ alcoholdrugs

Canterbury City Council says there are indications that hard drug misuse may be declining