Drugs

Drug misuse is one of the core issues corrupting the environment of Starley Cross and hindering the lives of its residents. An estimated 28% exploit drugs or deal them leading to a dysfunctional and unsafe neighbourhood. Consequentially, there are socio-economic concerns. 

One of the Starley Cross residents claimed that he had been stabbed seven times by a member of a rival gang, indicating that the current gang issue in Starley Cross is an outcome of and motive for the respective and prohibitive drug culture that resides within the neighbourhood. The high levels of theft and burglary within Starley Cross, Manor Road area in particular, are likely to be influenced by drug addiction as the offenders living in poverty require funding for their addiction. Furthermore, according to Goldstein (1985), many drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy are likely to encourage violent and unpredictable behaviour, explaining the elevated levels of assault on the person and even sexual crimes in Manor Road.

Aside from socio-economic impairments, excessive drug use can have distressing personal consequences for the addict, potentially leading to fatality, and can overwhelm the NHS with such incidents and take individuals out of work for considerable time periods. Based on findings by Dunlap (1992), drug addiction can have devastating effects on families and often burdens them with immense pressure causing family dysfunctionality and affecting the entirety of the neighbourhood.

In order to resolve the drug concern corrupting Starley Cross it is essential to undertake a positive prevention attitude by introducing a drug rehabilitation scheme and supporting those suffering from addiction. Hiring trained specialists and counsellors will provide patients with the necessary tools to overcome their problem (Passik et al. 2006), and subsequently will be sent on a path to improve their life quality alongside the general quality of life in Starley Cross.