Residents of Southall in West London have voiced alarm over a sharp rise in open drug use on the streets, linking the increase to the relocation of a recovery centre for addicts. Ealing Council moved the RISE (Recovery Intervention Service Ealing) centre from West Ealing to Southall in February 2024, after complaints from the previous location.
Fourfold increase in open drug taking
Since the relocation, locals report seeing the number of people openly making and smoking crack cocaine increase fourfold. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has reviewed videos that appear to show open drug taking in the area. Herpreet Nirwal, a safeguarding officer and assistant coach for Southall Athletic Football Club, raised the issue at a Full Council meeting on June 30.
Nirwal asked Councillor Paul Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, for justification for approving the relocation without resident consultation, citing escalating drug use, aggressive begging, and intimidation. Cllr Driscoll responded that the council has a legal duty to provide drug and alcohol treatment services and noted that RISE has operated in Southall for 13 years across three locations. He urged against drawing a false link between the increase in crime and vulnerable people accessing treatment.
Resident concerns and dealer tactics
Speaking after the meeting, Nirwal described the response as waffle. He said open drug taking is the biggest worry, with individuals sitting on roads openly smoking crack pipes and preparing drugs. His mother is now hesitant to walk in the morning due to intimidating individuals in the park.
Nirwal believes local drug dealers have targeted the facility, approaching vulnerable drug users. He said dealers know where their customer base is and base themselves around the centre, even if users are forced into treatment.
Council and police response
Cllr Driscoll stated that increased patrols have been deployed, including the Metropolitan Police's tactical support group. Patrols will coordinate with the council park guard service, and proactive CCTV monitoring will target suspicious behaviour. Intelligence gathering aims to determine if those involved are local, displaced, new, or known to RISE.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said they understand resident concerns and are working closely with police to increase patrols, target hotspots near South Road and St Joseph’s Drive, and take action against drug dealing. They emphasized that there is no evidence the current issues are caused by the relocation, reflecting a more complex picture including displacement from enforcement elsewhere and existing pressures. The council is increasing CCTV monitoring, on-the-ground patrols, and outreach to move people off the streets into support.
