THE leader of a support organisation has offered his hand to help all those struggling with drug addiction after this week's major crackdown on drugs in Barrow.

Drug raids in Barrow have led to 27 arrests and 17 people being charged with drug related offences.

David Higham, CEO of The Well, said there was a small “window of opportunity” to help people “break free” from their addictions.

Mr Higham said: “We were alerted that there were people in need of support after these raids and that’s where we want to be.

“We want to be there when that window of opportunity comes and someone looks and reflects, whether they are sitting in a prison cell, whether they are sitting in hand cuffs in the back of the police car, in a crack den, or with drug dealers intimidating them, we want to be there when that thought is triggered and they say ‘how the hell did I get in this mess and how do I get out.’

“The Well wants to be there to say look we’ll take your hand and we’ll walk with you every step of the way to enable you to break free from crime and addiction.

"We’ve got the guys who have sat in them prison cells, who have sat with those hand cuffs on, who have sat in crack dens and have gone through the same process and they will be the same guys that will help you break free.”

Barrow Police Inspector Jim Bailey said: “County lines drug supply into Barrow is unfortunately here because there is a demand, and that is why we are focusing our work with partner agencies such as The Well, Unity and CADAS on supporting people creating the demand.

“We want to send a clear message to anyone thinking of coming to Barrow to supply drugs that you are not welcome here.”

If you would like to get in contact with The Well in Barrow you can do so by contacting them on 01229 829832.

They are able to offer a variety of services to support residents and their families affected by addictions.

Yesterday, Cumbria Police charged seven more people with drug related offences as part of Operation Horizon.

They are:

  • Mark Wells, aged 42, of Low White Close, Barrow, is charged with six counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to crack cocaine and heroin.
  • Simon Duffield, aged 39, of Manchester Street, Barrow, is charged with supplying Class A drugs.
  • Dean Appleton, aged 30, of Broad Close, Barrow, is charged with 11 counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to crack cocaine and heroin.
  • Kerry Rooney, aged 40, of Egerton Court, Barrow, is charged with four counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to heroin.
  • Mark Jackson, aged 38 of Piel View Grove, Barrow, is charged with possession of Class A drugs.
  • Daniel Duke, aged 39, of no fixed abode, was charged with four counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to heroin. He appeared at Barrow Magistrates’ Court yesterday. He has been remanded in police custody.
  • Sandra Charles, aged 47, of Hartington Street, Barrow, is charged with six counts of Class A drug supply offences relating to crack cocaine and heroin. She is due to appear at Barrow Magistrates’ Court on February 6.

Of those arrested as part of the operation – which is targeting county lines drug dealing - 17 people have now been charged in total.