Positive results from drug survey

– Sarah Schwager
POSITIVE results in Springvale’s annual ‘walk and talk’ traders survey suggest there has been a reduction in street drug activity in the CBD.
The 9 November event, sponsored by the Springvale Drug Action Community Forum, saw 38 shopkeepers and traders surveyed on their impression of the level of safety in the CBD over the past two years.
It also asked whether drug activity had been reduced in that time and asked for suggestions for improvements in the shopping centre.
Springvale Detective Senior Sergeant Wayne Stokes said that after suffering several years of endemic street drug activity in the CBD, the results, which were officially collated on Monday, showed Springvale traders acknowledged a large reduction in drug activity which had led to a resurgence in business activity.
Det Sen Sgt Stokes said the ‘walk and talk’ team was surprised and pleased by the results, a huge improvement on last year.
He said the positivity from traders showed a resurgence in business activity with no empty shops in the CBD, while there were three last year.
He said the partnership approach had shown a huge turnaround.
He said after meeting on Monday they had decided to revisit traders that were not as satisfied and do another survey in six months time.
This year also saw a huge increase in participating members from organisations, with 23 people volunteering their time to go in person to the businesses to conduct the survey and discuss drug and alcohol problems and safety in Springvale.
The event is a joint initiative of the Police, Springvale Traders Association and Communities, City of Greater Dandenong, South East Alcohol and Drug Service (SEADS), Youth Substance Assistance Service (YSAS), Cyrene Centre Noble Park and Recon Ministries.
“We are all committed to improving the perception of safety in the CBD for the betterment of the whole community,” Det Sen Sgt Stokes said.