Residents in Southall have raised concerns about people openly taking drugs in the street. They are claiming the problem has worsened since an addiction recovery service relocated to the area last year.
The concerns were raised at a meeting of Ealing Council’s Full Council on June 30, where resident Herpreet Nirwal questioned councillors about the relocation of the RISE (Recovery Intervention Service Ealing) centre from West Ealing to Southall in February 2024.
Mr Nirwal claimed residents had witnessed a sharp increase in visible drug use since the move, including people allegedly preparing and smoking crack cocaine in public spaces. He told councillors: “What justification does the Cabinet Member offer for approving RISE’s relocation to Southall in the absence of resident consultation and in the face of escalating drug use, aggressive begging and intimidation in the affected areas?”
RISE provides assessments and short-term treatment for people struggling with addiction, supporting those seeking help for substance misuse including heroin, cocaine and alcohol dependency.
Responding to the concerns, cllr Paul Driscoll, Ealing Council’s Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, said there was a legal requirement for councils to provide drug and alcohol recovery services and warned against drawing a direct link between the treatment centre and criminal behaviour. He said: “The council commissioned the drug and alcohol treatment service for adults which is known as RISE.
“RISE supports individuals in reducing and stopping substance abuse, providing tailored treatment plans and ongoing recovery assistance. This work helps individuals to reintegrate into society, lead healthier lives and make a positive change.”
Cllr Driscoll added that recovery services have operated in Southall for 13 years across different locations and that the current service is not new to the area.
However, residents remain concerned.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Nirwal said open drug use was now one of the biggest issues facing the town. “There are people who will sit on our road and openly smoke a crack pipe. They will openly prepare drugs and all that paraphernalia. It’s annoying” he said
“My mum is hesitant to go for a walk in the morning because she says they’re all in the park and they’re very rough-looking and intimidating.”
In response to residents’ concerns, Cll Driscoll said the council and police had already increased enforcement activity in the area. Measures include additional police patrols, deployment of the Metropolitan Police’s Tactical Support Group, enhanced CCTV monitoring and joint patrols involving council park guards.
He said intelligence gathered from the operation would help authorities determine whether those involved in anti-social behaviour were local residents, people displaced from other areas, or individuals known to treatment services.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said reports of open drug use and intimidation were being taken seriously. “We understand why residents and businesses are concerned,” the spokesperson said.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we’re working closely with police to increase patrols, target known hotspots close to South Road and St Joseph’s Drive, and take action against those involved in crime, including drug dealing.”
The council said there was “no evidence” linking the current issues directly to the relocation of the RISE service and argued the situation reflected a more complex set of factors, including displacement from enforcement activity elsewhere.
The authority added that outreach teams were continuing to work with vulnerable people to move them off the streets and into support services while enforcement efforts continue.
