Senedd chiefs deny claim and say syringe exchange schemes reduce infection amongst addicts
A leading Wrexham councillor today claimed the Welsh Government’s needle distribution scheme has contributed to the town’s drug problem.
Cllr Hugh Jones has hit back at criticisms aimed at the local authority after the town’s bus station hit the national headlines this week.
More than 20 photos had been posted on Facebook by bus driver Gavin Rodda which showed bloody needles and drugs paraphernalia at the King Street station.
They also showed people slumped over, although there was no evidence they had taken drugs.
Cllr Jones, Wrexham council’s lead member for communities and partnership’s, claimed the Welsh Government’s needle distribution scheme was not working and was adding to the town’s problems.
The claim was denied by Senedd chiefs who say syringe exchange programmes worked at reducing infection.
Cllr Jones said: “The constant attacks are demoralising to council and partner agencies, who are working exceptionally hard to tackle a raft of difficult situations that arise from policies not initiated by Wrexham council.
“The needle distribution policy is determined by the Welsh Government.”
He added: “The funding for these programmes comes from the Welsh Government, and Wrexham County Borough Council and other councils are left with the consequences.
“The Welsh Government’s own Health and Social Care Committee’s report clearly evidences that current policies are not working and need changing. Meanwhile, we are dealing with the outcomes.”
ALLEGED DRUG USE AT WREXHAM BUS STATION
Cllr Jones said there was a unique partnership programme in Wrexham to tackle the problems and the underlying issues.
“This is making progress and needs to be supported - not attacked for short-term political gain,” he said.
“This is not about blame, as it would be very easy for me to go back to which party was responsible for many of the past decisions.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Our Substance Misuse Strategy clearly sets out our plans for tackling and reducing the harms associated with substance misuse in Wales.
“Needle and Syringe programmes (NSPs) provide a well-evidenced, effective and cost-effective means of reducing bacterial infections and transmission of blood borne virus (BBV) infection (including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV).
“They are an essential part of reducing the harms caused by substance misuse.
“However, NSPs alone cannot tackle the issue of drug paraphernalia litter in our communities and work is currently ongoing to tackle this. Our latest 2016-18 Substance Misuse Delivery contains actions for all Area Planning Boards to understand the scale of drug related litter within their regions and to develop and implement a plan to reduce its impact which includes training sessions on the safe use and disposal of needles.
“We know that the North Wales has a number of initiatives in place to deal with the issues locally, including regular clean ups in affected areas.”
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/wrexham-bus-station-drug-scandal-12713899
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