Substance abuse hub set up in Weymouth

Residents including young families and vulnerable elderly people were not informed of the plans or consulted about the moves.

Public Health Dorset has been in talks with Dorset Council and EDP Drug & Alcohol Services to find a new location for the service for the past year.

They said they were unable to carry out face-to-face consultations with residents due to the pandemic – but are still pressing ahead with opening fully to users on May 17.

Residents have questioned why the pandemic would stop letters being sent informing them of the plans.

The new substance misuse service, run by Reach, is being opened in the 19th Century former Weymouth Coffee Tavern, which is directly opposite the town’s oldest pub, The Boot Inn.

Residents in High West Street are furious after discovering a new hub for alcoholics and drug addicts has been set up in their street without consultation - directly opposite The Boot Inn pub Picture: Finnbarr Webster

The building, which dates back to 1875, was most recently the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Residents are furious after discovering it is being turned into a community hub for alcoholics and drug users, without being consulted on the plans ‘under the cover of lockdown’.

They are now launching a petition demanding Dorset Council rethink the moves.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “This is an absolute disgrace. The council and Public Health Dorset has been incredibly sneaky bringing this in under the cover of lockdown without letting residents know.

“I understand there has to be services for people suffering with alcohol and drug abuse – but a residential area filled with young families and elderly vulnerable people living on their own is certainly not the place for it.

“And who thought it would be a good idea putting a centre for alcoholics directly opposite a pub?

“The council and Public Health Dorset clearly knows the reaction this would have among the people living here, which is why none of us were consulted. They have used Covid as an excuse for not carrying out face-to-face consultations with residents - but I am not sure why the pandemic would mean they couldn’t send us letters, call us, or put up public notices outside the building.

“They have managed to negotiate a complete relocation of the service during this time, so this is a feeble excuse - and one that won’t wash with people living here.”

Residents in High West Street are furious after discovering a new hub for alcoholics and drug addicts has been set up in their street without consultation - directly opposite The Boot Inn pub Picture: Finnbarr Webster

The building is next to the former council offices building, which is set to be knocked down and transformed with luxury homes as part of a multi-million pound development.

Reach says that the Weymouth Coffee Tavern building allows it to offer a full range of services under one roof from individual recovery work to group sessions and medically assisted treatments.

Beth Davies, Head of Service and Development at EDP Drug & Alcohol Services, said: “The Weymouth Coffee Tavern offers a wide variety of help and support under one roof for anyone experiencing issues with alcohol or drugs.

“Plans to find a new premises for the service commenced in March 2020, and the EDP team has engaged with a range of neighbouring businesses and other local stakeholders during this time. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we have been unable to carry out face-to-face consultation but further engagement is planned with local residents and organisations in line with Covid restrictions.

Cllr Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Councillor for Westham Ward said: “REACH have done excellent work for our community over the years in supporting local residents in need. They are well respected for the work they have done addressing challenging issues in society with professionality and compassion.

“The opening of this new hub in Weymouth will be an asset to the local community and the wider Dorset and I look forward to their opening.”

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health. “REACH is an invaluable service for Weymouth and across Dorset.

“We know that the support they offer helps improve people’s quality of life – not just for their clients but their families and the wider community”.

But another resident said: “What an appalling choice of location for a drug and alcohol misuse centre – on prime land adjacent to the marina and in a residential area, right opposite a pub and just metres from another pub at the end of the street.

“We were told nothing about these plans, which is disgusting. It is has been set up secretly, with Covid being used as an excuse. It has been brought in during lockdown so we have not seen the full impact yet, but when restrictions are lifted and face to face meetings can resume, then we fear people with serious drug and alcohol issues will start congregating in the street.”

“I know that when the service was based in a previous location, security had to be tightened up due to break-ins and people on drugs turning up and sleeping outside.

“Is this what the council think is a suitable image on the harbour – right next to where a waterside luxury housing complex is set to be built?

“Surely there are more suitable locations not surrounded by housing – or indeed right opposite a pub.

“Seeing as they have devalued our homes with a decision they didn’t even feel the need to discuss with us, I wonder if they would be so understanding if we all refused to pay our council tax?”