Weblogger Archive

Drugs in London, UK - A State of Confusion.

The issue is: Dedicated Fixed Site Needle Exchange. Camden Council says: Everyone else has one so we must too! Actually what they are saying is - You are going to get one whether you like it or not!

Camden will force this policy through in a similar fashion to that in Lambeth nomatter the weight of objection. "The provision of a dedicated fixed site needle exchange is NON-NEGOTIABLE" (Camden Drugs Action Team). If this policy is non-negotiable, why all the pretence, going through the motions of Heath Impact Assessments, or so-called community engagement and consultation? The West End of London community would do well to study the latest announcement from Lambeth where Lambeth Council Planning Committee have recently passed the application for a new dedicated fixed site needle exchange just off Brixton High Street. Will Lambeth be the template for the new dedicated fixed site needle exchange at Tottenham Court Road underpass toilet, that Camden Council Planning Committee will no doubt approve when the matter comes before their Planning Committee in the very near future? We wonder who is wielding the big stick, with no regard for the genuine concerns of the community that will have to suffer the consequences of such misguided action. Is this local democracy at work, or could it be a higher authority? We leave it to you to make your own judgement?

Related link: http://www.casweb.org/bloomsburyassociation/news/item?item_id=68637
Posted by Jim Murray at 23:55