Social landlords can help reduce crime

Tackling drug related problems is not an
additional responsibility for social landlords but core to their
role in creating safe and sustainable communities, claims a report
launched last week.

Tackling Drug Use in Rented Housing,
produced as part of the government’s 10-year anti-drug strategy,
describes social landlords as “key players” in challenging and
overcoming the harm that drugs can cause to communities, claiming
that social housing providers can have a substantial impact on
reducing drug related crime and anti social behaviour within the
community through effective housing management strategies.

The guide states that by engaging in
multi-agency partnerships social landlords can ensure that housing
is recognised as an important part of any strategy to tackle drug
use.

Appropriate housing and support can also bring
benefits to drug users such as a reduction in or ending of drug
use, better treatment outcomes and a reduction in offending
behaviour.

Housing minister Sally Keeble said that she
expects social landlords to take tough eviction action in tackling
drug abuse on housing estates.

“Local authority and housing associations can
work effectively with other key agencies like police and drug
action teams to safeguard our estates from the misery resulting
from drug dealing and drug abuse.”

And Keeble insisted that as part of the
anti-drug drive, “it is important to have rehabilitation services
to help drug users kick the habit and prevent others from falling
into the drugs trap.”

The guide was jointly produced by the Home
Office and the Department for Transport, Local Government and the
Regions.

– Tackling Drug Use in Rented Housing
at www.drugs.gov.uk