The Lilac Project: A Community Residents' Perspective

The Lilac Project was a long time coming, but finally came into operation in September 2000. It ran until the end of March 2002.

Its essence was a radical new approach to the West End drug problem, involving close co-operation between the various agencies involved, and across borough, police sector and health authority boundaries - the police, the treatment services and environmental planning and local residents.

Despite a disorganised start, mainly due to poor oversight by the Home Office, there were rapid results.

Within the (admittedly narrow) confines of the Lilac area the evidence of drug dealing and use declined markedly (especially discarded needles). Public spaces became safe for children again. Those outside the area were understandably concerned not to have been included, and suffered a definite displacement effect, as users and dealers moved further into Covent Garden and Bloomsbury.

The lesson is that this sort of cross-border and multi-agency co-operation, listening to the actual concerns of residents, rather than simply meeting their own targets, is essential not only for this part of London, but the whole of London (otherwise we just shift it from place to place).

The problem will not go away, until the reasons why people seek such powerful and destructive anaesthetics for their woes go away, but with serious investment and long-term planning, it could be contained. All those involved with the project wish to continue working for this and community representatives were invited to become part of the continuing dialogue.

Richard Haggis Chair, 2001-2002

 

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