West Midlands combats drug-related crime via expanded support, addressing links in murders and serious incidents.
The report says many crimes involve drugs. Half of serious crimes link back to drug use. That includes things like murder and theft. Foster praised the new efforts to fight substance abuse. These efforts involve multiple groups working together to reduce crime rates.
Birmingham helped 8,490 people with substance issues from 2023 to 2024. The prior year saw 8,177 people get help, and 3,542 people used these services for the very first time. Other areas also helped many individuals; Coventry treated 2,025 people, and Dudley assisted 1,777 people.
Sandwell gave treatment to 2,095 people, Solihull helped 1,177 people, Walsall supported 1,785 people, and Wolverhampton aided 1,899. Every area saw increases from the prior year.
Foster thinks drugs fuel many crimes. He believes fixing substance misuse can cut crime. It could also make communities safer places to live, he stated clearly. Police can’t solve the drug issue alone, according to Foster, he works with many groups to solve it.
Foster and other groups aim to lower drug-related crime together, using a system-wide strategy for best impact. A joined-up system is essential, with the government also having a 10-year drug plan called “From Harm to Hope,” created in 2021.
This plan made different groups work together, checking progress against the strategy’s goals. Foster leads the West Midlands partnership for tackling drugs called CDAP, which started in August 2022. He represents the partnership on a national scale, supporting progress on the national goals.
The partnership did many things to fight drug harms. It improves how police, treatment, and prevention work, helping more receive treatment. They reached people not helped before in all West Midlands areas during 2023-2024.
