“Are you, or someone you know, suffering with drug or alcohol misuse?

Durham Constabulary is working with the charity Humankind to reach out and support people in the Newton Aycliffe and Shildon areas who are suffering with misuse with a new pilot programme called Ahead of the Arrest.

The brainchild of Sergeant Andy Boyd, the scheme sees officers actively engage with members of the community who need help and offers a range of support programmes to get their lives back on track.

Sgt Boyd said: “We know that misuse is a major factor for many people who go on to commit crime so this problem-solving initiative is something we hope will break that cycle. It allows us to identify vulnerable people who regularly come to the attention of the police, step in and give them that support to help them get their lives back on track.”

Find more from Humankind and Durham Constabulary (UK, May 2022)

🚨 Aycliffe NPT together with @Humankind_UK are launching a new initiative which hopes to help vulnerable people who misuse drugs and alcohol.

𝘈𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵 will see officers actively engage with members of the community to get their lives back on track. pic.twitter.com/iwFMb6O40d

— Durham Constabulary (@DurhamPolice) May 6, 2022