Drug drivers warned: “One night out – a lifetime of consequences”

A hard-hitting campaign is launching to remind drivers of the devastating repercussions of getting behind the wheel under the influence of drugs and alcohol this Christmas.

The campaign, jointly led by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen, Durham Constabulary, Darlington Borough Council and Durham County Council, is targeted at young male drivers and will run until January 5th, 2026.

It aligns with the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s (NPCC) drink and drug driving enforcement campaign Operation Limit which the force is supporting with increased roadside testing over the festive period.  

Across the force area, in October alone, there were 90 drink/drug driving offences, 39 of which were drug specific and 24 of which were alcohol specific. Eighty percent of respondents in recent consultation said that driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol was their biggest concern on the roads.

Safer Roads is one of six key priorities in the PCC’s Police, Crime and Justice Plan and she has lobbied tirelessly for more funding and tougher legislation to protect road users from those who recklessly endanger lives in her mission to achieve vision zero – every day without a road death.

The campaign, set to be delivered via bus shelter and social media advertising in Darlington and Durham, will educate all drivers, particularly young men, of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and the combined effects of both substances on the body over a prolonged period.

Using powerful slogans such as ‘One night out – a lifetime of consequences’ and ‘The danger doesn’t end when the party does’, the campaign warns drivers that drugs remain in the system for longer than many assume, sometimes days later, and can impair driver function with devastating consequences, especially when mixed with alcohol.

Alongside highlighting the legal and socio-economic repercussions of driving under the influence, the campaign signposts drivers to support available via the County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) for those who need help or treatment for addiction.  

The PCC, who is Joint National Lead for both Addictions and Substance Misuse and Roads Policing on behalf of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), is also lending her support to Crimestoppers’ drink and drug driving campaign this Christmas which encourages people to report drink and drug drivers to save lives and the Think! drug driving campaign led by the government’s designated road safety organisation.

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: “Drug-driving is one of the fastest-growing threats on our roads.

“In County Durham and Darlington, 295 people have been injured or killed because the driver or rider was impaired by drugs or alcohol. This is a shocking statistic and tells us that too many drivers are still ignoring the risks. This is unacceptable.

“Our campaign asks drivers whether they can live with the consequences of their actions – claiming an innocent motorist’s life, a life sentence in prison, losing their job or a driving ban?

“Driving under the influence puts everyone at risk. It devastates lives - victims and perpetrators - and places immense pressure on the NHS and our emergency services, including police and paramedics. Society cannot and should not tolerate.”

Cllr Howard Brown, Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “Drugs and alcohol can cause significant damage to our health and wellbeing, and these dangers increase dramatically if we get behind the wheel of the car. Not only would such drivers be putting their own lives at risk, but they would be endangering the lives of innocent road users and pedestrians.

“I would encourage anyone who is worried about their use of drugs and alcohol, or who has concerns about someone they know, to contact County Durham and Darlington Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service. We offer a range of confidential support to individuals, families and carers, and can also sign post to other charities and organisations that can help.”

County Durham and Darlington Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service can be contacted at 03000 266 666.

We Are With You Darlington can we contacted at Drug and Alcohol Support | WithYou

To find out more about the support on offer, visit www.durham.gov.uk/DrugAndAlcoholSupport.

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Picture Shows (L-R):  Katherine Turner (Cranstoun), Andrew Luck (Waythrough), Amanda Healy (Director of Public Health, DCC), Joy Allen (PCC), Fiona Mawson (DCC)

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