Needle-swap clinic to open in ‘drugs capital’
Published: 16 September, 2010
by TOM FOOT
A SUPER-clinic and needle exchange for hard drug users will open in King’s Cross after an extensive search for a “better location” drew a blank.
Council chiefs say 264 Pentonville Road, a former homeless hostel for mental health patients already providing some drug services, is the only suitable site.
Fears have been voiced that drug dealers will target “ready made customers” if the centre is located in King’s Cross, the traditional drugs capital of Camden.
But Labour councillor Abdul Hai, Camden’s crime chief who is chairing a public meeting about the centre, said: “There has been a lot of good community work done in the last 20 years to eradicate drugs and prostitution in King’s Cross. We didn’t want to undo that.
“The Pentonville Road site is not totally residential. It is on the main road. I am happy because it will meet the need of service users and at the same time not infringe or cause nuisance to residents.”
The drug centre will be run by charity Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) following a tender in 2009.
The original plans met overwhelming opposition after the council and NHS Camden refused to release details of the location during consultation.
When a plan to open the centre in Roger Street – a secluded back street in Holborn – emerged, a campaign was launched.
More than 200 objections – including one from Labour MP Frank Dobson – were lodged with the Town Hall last year.
Steven Hargrave, chairman of the Roger Street Action Group, said: “I’m glad the council and NHS Camden were persuaded not to put the centre in Roger Street but I’m still not convinced of the need for a centralised facility in Pentonville Road or anywhere else.
“The old approach of dispersed provision seemed to work perfectly well.”
A council spokesman added: “The centre will provide integrated, cost-effective and accessible services to help as many people as possible to tackle their problem drug use.
“We will continue to monitor and respond to any impact on local residents but there has been none reported since services have been provided from this location. Camden has an excellent record in engaging drug users in treatment and reducing the criminal and anti-social aspects of drug use.”
A public meeting will be held at the Camden Centre from 6pm on September 29.