Issue details

It presents an excellent opportunity to develop public health and harm reduction approaches with GMP for a relatively small investment.

GMP do not currently have a bespoke Drugs Policy or Strategy and this cross cutting thematic is widely acknowledged as a demand driver in crime and health provision.

Jason Kew is a subject matter expert and former Detective Chief Inspector with Thames Valley Police and Violence Reduction Unit.

He led the development of Thames Valley’s cross sector Drug Related Harm Reduction Forum, fusing together partnerships, communities, and service providers to enable the joint commissioning of diversion schemes, peer recovery worker Naloxone training for drug users and police officers, and the installation of needle exchange points in custody suites.

He was the Home Office appointed Southeast Heroin and Crack Action Area Coordinator and undertook a yearlong review into drug use, supply, and harm reduction across the Southeast. He is a member of The Faculty for Public Health, has a fellowship with the University of South Wales Substance Use Research Group, and serves on the Boards of the ISSUP (International Society for Substance Use Professionals) and GLEPHA (Global Law Enforcement and Public Health).