Havering Police will be joining the fight against drugs in the capital with a three year anti-drugs plan designed to take The Met into the Millennium.

The strategy was launched this week, by The Met's drug directorate.

The aim is to reduce drug use and drug related crime across all 32 London boroughs.

The plan covers four objectives - giving young people an educative approach to drugs, protecting communities from the damage they can cause, helping to break the link between crime and addiction, and limiting supply through enforcement.

The strategy includes adopting arrest referral systems in all boroughs.

The ARS uses a partnership approach to dealing with drug users. Offenders who come into contact with the police are encouraged to seek help, information and treatment.

The measures are seen as a step forward in reducing crime and breaking the cycle of addiction.

Havering's community safety policing team has an on-going drugs education programme in many of the borough's secondary and primary schools.

The team also works closely with Barking Havering and Brentwood Community Health Care Trust on drugs and health issues.

The national police scheme supports the Government's ten year strategy Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain and forms a part of Crack Down - The Met's ongoing offensive against drugs in London which was launched in 1996.

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