Shared Responsibility

SR's Message Present at Two UK Fairs

SR´s Message Gets Heard

On 19th of July 2009 at the “Colombianamente Carnival” at Lambeth and on the 2nd of August 2009 at the” Carnival del Pueblo” at Southwark the Metropolitan Police Ibero American Association (MPIAA) approached the community together with SCD7, the Drugs Directorate, SOCA, the Home Office, the Ibero-American Non Governmental Organisations and with the Bolivian, Colombian, Mexico and Peruvian consulates and launched a Cocaine Awareness Campaign.

All together, they created a greater understanding of the effects of cocaine use. On 12th of September 2009 at  Lordship Rec Community Festival at Haringey the MPIAA will approach the community and will distribute as part of the campaign booklets provided by the Home Office “Frank Campaign” outlining the real effects of the drug.

The Carnivals assisted the MPS to strengthen links and promote reassurance with community groups represented in London from these cultural backgrounds. The campaign educated people about the negative effects of cocaine use. This kind of awareness was seen as very positive and four referrals and interest from the BBC were the result of the exhibition of a portable version of Colombia’s “Shared Responsibility” photographs. These highlighted the damage the production of cocaine is having in the country’s ecosystem.  DI Sue Inwood from the Drugs Directorate has encouraged its usage.

The project has:

• Provided a ‘safe environment’ for people to speak to MPS and other experts in the field of drugs.
• Provided information in relation to support services available to victims of drugs
• Provided awareness of how cocaine increases your risk of heart attack, seizure, fit or stroke
• With alcohol, increases the risk of damaging your heart, liver and kidneys
• By snorting, can damage the soft tissue inside your nose
• Often leads to addiction - the 'come down' reinforces your need to take the drug again
• Puts your employment at risk
• Can cause you money problems and strain your relationships

The MPIAS together with DI Sue Inwood, Superintendent Victor Olisa, Leticia Sabimana, Gloria Gomez, Juan Toledo, Carlos Millenger, Julian Chavez and Victoria Nabas will develop a leadership programme involving local young individuals to increase and inspire the public confidence and satisfaction with our service.