Essex Police are taking a multi pronged approach to tackling drugs
- Credit: Essex Police
Essex Police will send thousands of text messages to people they think might be using drugs, to offer them help and support to beat substance misuse.
The SMS text messages will be sent to people whose numbers have been identified following investigations into county line drug dealers.
The messages will supply a link and contact number for Open Road, a charity that supports people with drug and alcohol addiction.
Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Basford said the police focus is on targeting and dismantling drugs gangs and supporting the vulnerable people they exploit, but this cannot be done by enforcement alone.