Number Of Drug-Related Deaths Falling In Hastings, Police Report

Two years after launching, a government initiative to tackle drug-related harm and crime in Hastings is continuing to have a positive effect.

As well as dismantling criminal gangs dealing drugs, the number of drugs-related deaths in Hastings has fallen since the launch of Project ADDER.

The project, led by East Sussex County Council and Sussex Police and funded by the Home Office, has also contributed to the seizure of nearly £100,000 from criminal gangs.

Over the two years Sussex Police has arrested more than 800 people for drug trafficking and supply, and/or possession of weapons; carried out 1,000 drug seizures; seized 603 weapons and disrupted 36 cuckooing operations.

The force has also seized more than £99,000 linked to drug-related crime, with further applications in progress to seize assets worth £1,275,428 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Detective Superintendent Till Sanderson of Sussex Police said: 

“We work closely with the community to disrupt, catch and prosecute criminals involved in drug supply, but it’s also very important we work with partners to try and help drug misusers get the help they need to turn their lives around.

“Nationally and locally, Project ADDER has already had made a tangible difference to thousands of lives – putting dangerous people behind bars, seizing vast amounts of harmful substances and criminals assets, as well as providing them with wider support.

“We will continue to target drug suppliers at all levels of the chain through enforcement. We will continue to help divert people in need away from criminality towards the appropriate support services.”

Cllr Carl Maynard, the county council’s lead member for adult social care and health said:

“I am extremely proud of what Project ADDER has been able to achieve in just two years. The initiative has enabled us and our partner organisations to have a positive influence on issues related to drugs in Hastings.

“With drug-related deaths in Hastings falling from 15 in 2020/21 to 11 in 2022/23, the initiative is helping to save lives. The results we are seeing are testament to the efforts being made to tackle drug-related crime and harm.”

New figures reveal that since launching two years ago, Project ADDER, a programme designed to tackle addiction and the supply of drugs in towns across England and Wales, has supported police make nearly 3,000 interventions against organised crime gangs, arrest over 25,000 people involved in the drug trade and seize nearly £10 million of criminals’ cash.

Combating Drugs Minister Chris Philp said:

“These results show Project ADDER is having an impact. Funding from the Home Office is being used in the hardest hit local authorities to remove gangs who do not care for the substances in the drugs they are selling which can have fatal consequences.

“Ridding streets of dangerous drugs is only one part of Project ADDER. Vulnerable people are supported by tailored programmes to coax them away from addictive substances. Every circumstance is different but under Project ADDER more people in these local authorities are getting the support they need, which is so important.”

Over the past two years, Project ADDER has supported areas afflicted by drugs, balancing strong action against dealers and gangs with innovative treatments for drug users to find support. 4,966 people in drug treatment have benefitted from Project ADDER, while 7,672 Naloxone kits, which reverses the effects of potentially fatal opioid overdoses, have been distributed to keep users safe outside of treatment services.