A controversial needle exchange and drug advice centre looks set to open its doors in September after months of uncertainty over work schedules and risk assessments.
The centre will be moved to a building in Whitehall, in Cherry Orchard, from its base at St Michael’s Street in the town centre.
The building had been due to open in March, but the date was put back because the state of the building was very poor and more work than expected was needed. At the time Shropshire Council officials had said it was likely to be December before the centre was launched, but this week it was announced that work would be completed three months earlier than planned, allowing the site to open in September.
Councillor Miles Kenny, who has taken an interest in the project since the move to Whitehall was first mooted, said: “The substance misuse team will most likely be moving in, in September. It is a proposed date, not a definite date, but it is probable that the centre will be open then.” Some residents and councillors oppose the plans. Cheryl Horton, of Cherry Orchard, said: “Where you have clean needles you have people wanting something to fill them with, then you’ll get the drug pushers.”
But Cllr Kenny said: “The feelings I had from it was that it was only a handful of people who were very vociferously against the plan, and a smaller number of people who were concerned.
“We do want to see a reduction in taking any drugs and we have to tackle the problem and one has to be realistic about this.”
Mike Morris, assistant director of community services at Shropshire Council, said: “The council is planning to move a range of services into Whitehall in the autumn, which is likely to include the substance misuse team and needle exchange currently based at St Michael’s House.
“No lease has yet been signed on the building, but discussions are well advanced.”
