Drug Misuse Prevention in Liverpool

Crime Prevention Plan for Drugs Misuse

Drug misuse refers to the use of a substance for a purpose that is not in conformity with the law or medical advice. As such, drug misuse not only calls for legal actions but is also detrimental to one's health or ability to operate, and it can manifest as drug dependence or any number of other destructive or troublesome behaviors. The UK's Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) defines problem drug use as a state that can lead to intoxication and/or frequent excessive use and/or dependence, as well as social, psychological, physical, or legal issues for the user. National Library of Medicine (2022), estimates that about 4 million illegal drug users consume cannabis annually in the UK; it is the most often used substance, followed by ecstasy, cocaine, and opioids, in that order.

Liverpool, a 450,000-person city in the North West of England, has a long history of being associated with music and nightlife, and it's still one of the most well-liked nightlife destinations in the country. With over 60,000 university students spread across four campuses, Liverpool is home to a sizable population of people between the ages of 15 and 29, who highly value nightlife. Furthermore, the city is surrounded by numerous small and big villages whose young people commute into the city at night, and it receives over a million overnight visitors annually. The city center has an expanding number of bars and nightclubs to suit these crowds at night, exceeding 350 in number (Bellis & Hughes, 2015).

As such, Liverpool led Merseyside in drug-related deaths last year with 60 (47 from misuses), but this was a decrease from 89 the year before. According to Niamh Eastwood, executive director of Release, the National Center for Drug Knowledge, every drug-related mortality is preventable (Dukes & Williams, 2022). Without a commitment to "serious policy reforms," like the decriminalization of possession and the safe supply of all controlled substances, deaths will only increase. She stated "It is a complete scandal that we are once more discussing drug-related fatalities that break records. In the UK, drug-related deaths represent a public health emergency that has to be appropriately addressed. Being silent as a government is a political decision.

Many charities, including WithYou, Addaction, and Genie in the Glitter, provide free help and services to people battling drug and alcohol abuse around Merseyside. As a result of drug-related deaths in Liverpool, Jon Murray, Executive Director of Services at WithYou quoted that "behind each death are stories of people who have experienced extreme trauma and resilience, who have been dealt a difficult hand and did their best to survive. We know that everyone can recover with the correct support, and every one of these deaths is avoidable. Our thoughts are with our service users, staff, and volunteers who are working hard to provide assistance and support on this very difficult day.”

It is anticipated that in Liverpool, one-third of patrons of nightclubs will have used illicit drugs that evening, with ecstasy being the most often used substance. The majority of data on this type of recreational drug usage indicates that the North West has higher rates than the rest of England. However, information about the kinds and combinations of pharmaceuticals used in Liverpool is scarce. Nearly all the people who patronized recreational drug users at night were current cannabis users (95%), whereas three-quarters were current users of ecstasy (75%) and/or cocaine (72%), and two-thirds were amphetamine users (64%) (Bellis & Hughes, 2015).

Defensible Space Theory

One of the crime prevention strategies to use to minimize or curb drug-related crimes in Liverpool is by use of the above theory. As per Adil (2022), the defensible theory of crime prevention was established by architect Oscar Newmanin the 1980s, which proposed that environmental and architectural designs have a significant impact on the level of crime that occurs in a neighborhood. According to Oscar, a residential environment whose physical characteristics allow its inhabitants to themselves become key agents in ensuring its security" is the definition of Defensible Space. When people in a building have a sense of ownership and responsibility for the area, it makes them feel safer. Additionally, the architecture of the structure can encourage people to keep an eye on the neighborhood.

Adil (2022) further claims that the notion of territoriality, or the belief that one's home is a sacred territory, is the foundation of the concept of defensible space. Individuals who reside, work, and play in a community often feel a feeling of obligation and ownership for it.

There are four notable factors for Defensible Space.

1. Natural Surveillance: An area's physical features should make it easier for its residents to see what is going on.
2. Image - People must feel secure in a location based on its physical layout.

iii. Milieu: Some characteristics, like being close to a police station, can help with incidental security.

1. Safe Adjoining places: Adjacent places should be designed to make surveillance easier.

These factors that make a defensible space are crucial to effectively prevent crimes. Defensible Space does not rely on crimes to take place, then be analyzed by a third party, and then enacted upon by future deterrent by lack of opportunity. Defensible Space can simply prevent crimes because individuals are not likely to offend when they know that there is a member of the community watching them.

Defensible space is essential as was also implemented by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development employed Defensible Space as "both a criminological concept and a proven strategy for enhancing quality of life" in the 1980s. The UK Police also embraced it as a component of their "Secured by Design" program. While debating the connection between crime and house design, some of Newman's fundamental theories are still considered and serve as the basis for the idea of crime prevention through environment design (Adil, 2022).

Nonetheless, the competence and willingness of those in charge of the area to police it will determine how effective Defensible Space is in the long run. An invader usually stays away from a place he detects as being vigilant. Defensible Space designs must establish a connection between territoriality and surveillance by guiding locals to view a given region as falling under their purview and as a place where they have an obligation to deter crime (Pathshala, 2019). The notion of territoriality, or the belief that one's home is a sacred territory, is the foundation of the concept of defensible space. Individuals who reside, work, and play in a community often feel a feeling of obligation and ownership for it.By lowering the likelihood of crime and encouraging friendly social interactions among locals, it aims to lower both crime and the fear of crime in a given location.

Within a residential neighborhood, defensible space design aims to reinforce two types of social behavior. Territoriality is the individual sense of ownership over a territory; natural surveillance is the putting of possible criminal targets in areas where they are easily observed. According to Newman, communities with less defensible territory are potentially more susceptible to crime because their people are less likely to experience a sense of ownership and community and are less likely to be able to identify strangers as possible criminals. Defensible space in tiny spaces improves the efficiency of informal social control, reducing the likelihood of crime.

Recommendations

It is then recommendable for the Liverpool council to utilize the following strategies.

Funding Social Care

In addition, Dr. David Bremner, medical director of the charity Turning Point's drug abuse section, urged the government to keep funding social care, housing, and health care programs that are "life-saving."I believe we should expect the same for persons with addiction, just as we would expect action at a certain pace if these were cancer deaths increasing at this rate," he stated. This will support 24,000 more people in their recovery from substance dependency and help prevent close to 1,000 deaths," he continued, adding that over 54,500 extra treatment places will be provided, a 19% increase over the existing amount.’

Imposing More Stringent Laws

There is a need to revise the law to impose harsher legal provisions than the current legal provisions. Years for imprisonment or fines must be increased to execution, life imprisonment, and seven years of jail for class A, B, and C, respectively. Presently, the level of seriousness of the drug involved, whether it was a Class A, Class B, or Class C drug); the amount, value, and type of drugs involved in the drug offense such as possession of a small amount of drugs for personal use versus a large-scale organized drug supply conspiracy); your role in the offense, whether you took the lead or were following orders from others; whether you entered a guilty plea in court; and whether you were coerced into committing the drug offense. For drug possession offenses, the following are the maximum sentences. Classes A and B drugs carry maximum sentences of seven years in prison, an infinite fine, or both. Classes C and D drugs, on the other hand, carry maximum sentences of two years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both (apart from anabolic steroids).

The maximum penalties for producing and supplying drugs are as follows; Class A drugs: a fine of no limits, life in jail, or both, Class B drugs: a maximum 14-year jail sentence, an uncapped fine, or both, Class C drugs: a maximum 14-year jail sentence, an uncapped fine, or both. the assignment, based on each resident group's age, lifestyle, social preferences, history, family structure, and income, of the particular surroundings that they can most effectively use and manage.

The delineation of space in residential developments on a geographical basis, considering the spheres of influence of individual residents. Residential spaces ought to be partitioned into areas where neighboring inhabitants can readily adopt exclusive viewpoints.

Construction Plans

One crucial component in lowering crime in these locations and residents' fear of crime when using these public areas is the capacity of citizens to watch the public areas casually and regularly in their neighborhoods. This is comparable to Jane Jacobs' contention that structures must be positioned to naturally monitor the roadway. The following are some specific physical designs that enhance the opportunities for surveillance: positioning internal public areas, like lobbies, elevators, and hallways, so that they can be seen from the outside of the building; positioning outdoor public areas, like playgrounds and parks, so that there are clear sight lines from nearby streets; and providing enough lighting to allow for surveillance at night. Donnelly (2010) highlights that ensuring surveillance chances does not ensure that residents will react to situations they do witness. Here, he emphasizes the significance of the interaction between surveillance opportunities and territoriality. When locals can monitor the place and feel some accountability for what occurs there, they will be more inclined to step in and help.

Donnelly (2010) contends that the stigma associated with high-rise public housing buildings and their occupants is exacerbated by their image. Many high-rise structures that are often distinguishable from the surrounding community provide the impression that these regions are "easy hits" for criminal activity. The sociological traits of the locals and the severe design regulations that foster an environment conducive to high crime rates are also connected to the perception of these regions. The degree of safety within public housing developments is influenced by their placement within the larger neighborhood milieu. He suggests that instead of being constructed in already-high-crime neighborhoods, these projects should be close to regions with safe activities.

Conclusion

Liverpool is one of the areas facing high levels of substance consumption. Various drugs are being used in the region including cocaine, and opium, among others. The factor favoring drug misuse is the rise of various learning institutions and tourist accommodation centers, which have increased the population and favored the influx of bad habits in society. Currently, Liverpool has over 350 tourist accommodation centers which has increased the rate of congestion in the area. As a result, the congestion has favored crime rates such as drug misuse. Therefore, to minimize drug misuse in the area, there is a need for stringent regulations on drug users and controlling the nature of structures to be erected in such a location.

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