Concerns over drug use as report shows large spike in drug-related arrests in Greater Manchester

The rehab clinic which prepared the report suggested the difficult circumstances around the coronavirus pandemic may have contributed to rising drug use.
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There was a notable spike in drug-related arrests by police in Greater Manchester during the Covid-19 pandemic compared to the period before it, a new report on illegal substances and addiction has suggested.

Private rehab clinic Delamere says in its 2022 report that Greater Manchester Police (GMP) saw one of the biggest increases in arrests related to illegal substances in 2020-21 compared to the year before.

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The force has also been dealing with concerningly-high levels of drug-related motoring offences in recent years, the report suggests.

The clinic has expressed concern about rising drug use in the city-region but suggested that the extreme circumstances of the pandemic coupled with a reduction in support services being available due to Covid-19 may help to explain it.

GMP said cracking down on drug use and dealing is one of its major priorities as a force.

What does the data in the report show for Greater Manchester?

Delamere’s UK Drug Addiction Report 2022 compared drug-related police figures for 2020-21 with the previous year 2019-20.

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GMP saw a 60.33% increase in drug-related arrests in that time period, with 5,435 in the pre-pandemic 12-month period rising to 8,714 in 2020-21.

That was the sixth-highest percentage rise recorded by any police force.

Sheffield Crown Court has heard how two drug offenders have been brought to justice after a police raid at a former Sheffield cafe. Pictured is an example of drugs.Sheffield Crown Court has heard how two drug offenders have been brought to justice after a police raid at a former Sheffield cafe. Pictured is an example of drugs.
Sheffield Crown Court has heard how two drug offenders have been brought to justice after a police raid at a former Sheffield cafe. Pictured is an example of drugs.

The report also drew attention to drug-driving in Greater Manchester, with 2,799 convictions since 2015.

Only London and Merseyside have had higher numbers of people being found guilty of offences involving being at the wheel while under the influence of drugs.

What does Delamere say about its report?

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Martin Preston, founder and chief executive at Delamere, said: “It’s during times of stress and uncertainty that mind-altering substances become more attractive to individuals — for the simple reason that they offer an escape from the current reality.

“When considering this, it’s easy to understand why drug use in the UK may have spiked since the onset of the pandemic.

“Other factors that may have influenced the spike include increased free time, boredom, feelings of isolation, changes in habits — and dramatic events such as loss of income or the passing of a loved one.

“Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic also resulted in a lack of access to valuable support services, as well as support networks.

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“With this in mind, active drug users were more likely to self-medicate, and those in recovery from substance abuse had an increased risk of relapse.”

Delamere also spoke about the consequences of driving while under the influence of drugs.

Catherine Carney, a Delamere psychiatrist and addiction specialist, said: “Not only do drugs interfere with your ability to make informed decisions, they also slow down your reaction times, reduce your concentration, and alter the way you process information.

“Drugs also severely affect your ability to multi-task — something that operating a vehicle requires you to do at all times.

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“Making the decision to drive while under the influence of an illegal substance isn’t just harmful to yourself — it also poses a serious risk for those around you, too.

“If you become aware of a drug driver, or worry that you yourself may be unfit to operate a vehicle — whether due to drugs prescribed by your doctor or an illegal substance — your decision to not drive, or intercept a drug driver, could save someone’s life.”

What has GMP said?

GMP explained how it tackles drug-related crime and why it is a key priority for the force.

Superintendent John Griffith, force lead for drugs, said: “Drugs can not only lead to fatal consequences, but drug dealing and crime really blights the communities that it exists in, which is why cracking down on those involved is one of our priorities.

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“Unlike crimes such as burglary and car theft, the majority of drug offences and arrests are recorded as a result of proactive police operations rather than being reported by the public.

“An increase in drug arrests therefore means we’re uncovering more offences than previous years as a result of running more operations.

“Almost every single day, a drug dealer is brought to justice in court and sentenced for their actions following extensive investigations unpicked by detectives. Not all of this work can be seen - detectives and officers in our Serious and Organised Crime Group unravel some of the biggest crime groups involved in drugs on a regular basis, leading to lengthy jail sentences.

“The investigations off the back of Operation Venetic – the nationwide crackdown in 2020 led by the NCA into the communications platform EncroChat – has also led to an increase in investigations into drug supply and possession which are complex and lengthy. The operation is the UK’s biggest ever law enforcement operation.

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“At GMP so far, 210 arrests have been made, 171 suspects have been charged and 157kg of class A and B drugs have been taken off the streets as a result. Not only this, but £3.4 million pounds has been seized.

“Drugs feature across many different types of crime, from burglary and antisocial behaviour to criminal exploitation and modern day slavery, to name but a few.

“It is a priority therefore for us to disrupt the drugs market through enforcement and early intervention and diversion.

“We are working closely with partners across the board to achieve this, and will continue to do so for as long as drugs cause misery on our streets.”