National Tackling Drugs Week

An exhibition of photos by some of the city's drug users will take centre-place at Coventry's Tackling Drugs Week celebrations in the city centre.

The exhibition will be held at the Tackling Drugs Week shop in City Arcade from June 8 – 12. The shop will be open to anyone who wants to find out more about what agencies – and communities - are doing to tackle drug misuse.

Drug workers will also be on hand to offer advice and information on any aspect of drug misuse and the support available to help users.

During the week, a number of events are being held around the city for members of the public, drug users, families of drug users and frontline workers to raise awareness of treatment services.

Cllr Andrew Williams, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Safety, said: "Drugs is a major issue for all our communities and we want to take part in National Tackling Drugs Week to highlight the work we're doing to help reduce the harm that drugs cause to individuals, families and communities.

"The work we are doing to tackle drug misuse is a mix of work to help ensure today's young people don't become tomorrow's addicts, treatment to help users control and stop drug misuse and enforcement action against drug dealers and those committing crime to fuel addictions.

"Everyone can help in our work to tackle drugs – either by promoting drug treatment to any users they know or by reporting drug dealing and drug use to help the police build watertight cases against criminals."

Events held throughout the week include:

• A talk to parents of drug users by Elizabeth Burton-Phillips, author of "Mum, can you lend me twenty quid?"
  
• The launch of two new drug services – to help more addicts become drug free and to give extra support for families of drug users
  
• Presentations of 12-step programmes to former and current drug users
  
• A community consultation event in Foleshill dedicated to bust cultural myths surround drugs