Efforts to tackle drug use and its effect on communities in Weymouth have taken a step forward with the launch of a new initiative.

Concerns about public drug abuse and dealing – particularly hard drugs like heroin and crack cocaine – have been expressed by residents.

A meeting was called by Westham Community Group earlier in the summer following concerns about open drug dealing and after the discovery of hundreds of needles on the Rodwell Trail, as reported in the Echo.

Needles have also been discovered and dealing reported in other public areas recently.

The meeting heard from drug workers as well as police, housing officials and the local authority.

Amid confusion about which authorities residents should contact to report various issues associated with drug use, Westham Community Group has worked with others to produce a poster (below).

Dorset Echo:

The idea is that the poster and flyers will be put up around the local area, in taxis and on buses – anywhere where people might be able to pick them up.

Members say it has been confusing in the past for residents to know who to report issues to – so the group decided to produce its own poster and fund it.

Various agencies have got together to support the group in launching the poster – Synergy Housing, Dorset Police, Exeter Drugs Project, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and local businesses.

Community Development Officer for Dorset’s Council Partnership Julie Hursthouse said: “The energy and commitment to this project from the local community has been fantastic.

“The poster is a result of a community meeting that was held by the Westham Community Group in June about the issues the local media raised in connection to needles being found in and around the area of Westham.”

Chairman of Westham Community Group Cllr Christine James said the poster is an idea from residents firstly as a way of informing people who to contact, and secondly to show the community is proactive in dealing with drug misuse.

She added: “We are proud that our communities stand together in their efforts to deal with both sides of these issues. We are not condoning drug misuse, merely trying to make people more aware and that we know those caught in this cycle need help, and communities want to stand up and say enough is enough – report it.”

Cllr James is keen to see as many people as possible take action and report issues of drug dealing to the police.

Since the group calling the meeting, Dorset Police have received information from the community about drug dealing at the Marsh, and conducted further work identifying dealers from London.

Resident Andreas Scheffler, who chaired the original meeting in June, said he was delighted the community wanted to help raise the issues, and to highlight that people in Westham do care about their neighbourhood.