Politicians and police have vowed to work together to tackle the issue of substance misuse in the Upper Rhymney Valley.
At a meeting chaired by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, members of Caerphilly County Borough Council and Gwent Police were joined by Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP, Gerald Jones, and Assembly Member, Dawn Bowden, to discuss concerns over drug and alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour.
Despairing Rhymney town residents have called for action after empty bottles of prescription medicine and needles have been found in the streets.
Gwent PCC, Jeff Cuthbert, said: “This was an extremely productive and positive meeting. I understand how the severe nuisance caused by anti-social behaviour and the sight of people clearly affected by drug taking can negatively impact local communities.
“I was pleased to see so many partners attend to discuss how we can move forward with resolving the issues that have been affecting residents. I was keen to ensure that everyone had an opportunity to raise their concerns and the attendance from the local policing team, partners and elected officials evidenced the co-ordinated approach we have now agreed to tackle these issues in the Upper Rhymney Valley.”
Gerald Jones MP said: “The meeting was an opportunity to voice the concerns that residents have raised with us.
“There are a number of agencies involved in tackling residents’ concerns and it is important that residents know what support is available in the community to deal with the issues that have been raised.”
Dawn Bowden AM added: “Our focus must be on working together, tackling problems when they arise and providing support to the community.
“I know that only by working together can we improve how people currently feel about the situation.
“As locally elected representatives, and with other local partners, this very important work will continue in the coming months.”
Lots of meetings – very little action.
The problem is far larger than many people realise. I can sit in any pub in town and overhear loud conversations about various drugs. It is going to come down to a binary choice, legalise or enforce the law.
I don’t pretend to have the answer but do know that on the street the problems caused by various drugs are getting worse while our elected represntatives are busy clapping themselves on the back at their success in demonising tobacco smoking. I sometimes wonder whether their efforts are directed to the real problems…
Yes,those are the only two options – and society and the government needs to decide which route should be taken.
In the meantime Police should be enforcing the law.
It seems that the Police attitude has become – we haven’t got enough resources,so we can’t / won’t enforce the law ( this applies to everything from illegal parking to issues such as drug taking on our streets ).
Enough meetings and talking the good talk, we need action. The MPs councillors can talk all day long on what we need to do. Ivan tell you want we need, we need more Police on our streets. The police say we need help from our partner agencies. It’s funny how in my young days the police never needed help they done the job themselves and it worked just fine. Things went wrong when we got any old Tom,dick and Harry involved.