Tackling drug related litter: Guidance and good practice
Where local communities face drug litter problems, local agencies should respond by following this advice wherever possible.
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This guidance contains a series of recommendations for managing and reducing drug related litter, together with examples of how its recommendations have been implemented in practice.
The guidance is set out in two parts. The first puts the issue in its wider context and provides guidance on current legislation, research and advice that are of relevance. Part two focuses on steps that can be taken to reduce and manage the problem. It highlights the need to work across agencies and departments in order to provide the most effective response.
The guidance is intended for all those who deal with drug related litter as part of their work or who can contribute to its reduction. Many of these will be working for, or on behalf of, local authorities - street cleansing operatives, parks staff, wardens, car park inspectors, housing caretakers etc. But the guidance is not restricted to local authorities - it is crucial that a wide range of agencies work together at the local level, and so the guidance is also for those working for housing organisations, hostels, care centres, the Police and community groups (particularly those involved in clean-up activities who may come into contact with discarded needles) or in partnership through Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, Drug Action Teams and town centre partnerships.
Given the need to tackle the problem at source, the guidance also contains advice for agencies who supply injecting equipment and other items to injecting drug users to reduce the risks of viral transmission and other drug related harm and those who commission such services. This includes needle exchanges, specialist drug agencies, pharmacies and other outlets for injecting equipment.