'Invaluable' project tackles Moray's substance abuse and avoids arrests
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MORAY drug and alcohol service Arrows' "ground-breaking" work has been recognised by the National Charity Awards.
Arrows, a Quarrier's service, has been nominated in the Pioneering Project category for its Operation Protector (OP) scheme.
Ran together with Police Scotland and health organisations, OP aims to publicise local drug and alcohol services available for users and their families – also providing a focussed way to reach at-risk individuals.
With events in Elgin and Buckie four times a year, the project aims to intervene early to reduce arrests and encourage people to access support.
Justin Jansen, service manager for Arrows, said the partnership scheme had already paid dividends by reducing arrests and increasing referrals.
“We are thrilled to be a finalist in the Pioneering Project category," Mr Jansen said.
"OP has been ground-breaking in tackling drug and alcohol issues in Moray."
Despite some worrying that a partnership between Arrows and the Police might not be "a marriage made in heaven", Mr Jansen said, OP has yielded "such positive results".
"It has managed to bring many substance users into this service, rather than being arrested, with the close co-operation of Police Scotland," he said.
"Partnering a drug and alcohol support service with the Police wasn’t thought to be a marriage made in heaven and it hasn’t been easy, but we are seeing such positive results with referrals coming in and cross partnership working proving invaluable to everyone involved.
“The spin-offs from OP include the creation of a successful Recovery Football Team programme, instigating lived-experience drug and alcohol talks to all high schools in Moray, informing the locals about protection, vulnerability, naloxone training and cuckooing.”
A Quarrier's spokesperson said that, each time OP runs, three teams operate in the community over two days.
First is the soft approach group, which meets vulnerable people in the community to discuss cuckooing, being taken advantage of and what to watch out for.
Second, the enforcement team involves Police serving warrants while an Arrows field worker can encourage them into the service, rather than criminalising them or taking a punitive approach.
Finally the Community Hub, an information centre and mobile bus manned by Arrows, Police Scotland and Public Health, provides info on drugs, alcohol, naloxone, county lines and cuckooing and is most-commonly seen outside Tesco Buckie or Asda Elgin.
Winners of The 2023 Scottish Charity Awards, put on by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), will be announced at an Edinburgh ceremony in June – hosted by TV presenter Sally Magnusson.
This year’s shortlist includes 32 nominees from charities and voluntary groups across the country, following a record-breaking number of nominations.
While judges will determine the winner of the Pioneering Project category in which Arrows is shortlisted, the Moray public has the chance to vote for the local group in the People's Choice Award category.
Votes will be accepted before 5pm on Wednesday, May 24, 2023.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “This year’s Scottish Charity Awards are a fabulous opportunity to celebrate the exceptional individuals and groups within our vibrant sector.
“This year’s record-breaking number of nominations underlines the strength of Scotland’s voluntary sector, and the crucial work that we see from charities and voluntary organisations across the country.
"The hard work and dedication of people and organisations like these 32 finalists are making Scotland a better place to live and work.
“There is still a chance to have your own voice heard by voting in the People’s Choice Award.
"Don’t be late – participate!”
