Hamsterley resident Caroline Peacock, who took up the post of high sheriff in April, made the announcement after seeing first hand the impact of addiction while visiting Durham Prison.
Speaking during the annual Service of Matins for Her Majesty’s Courts in the counties of Durham, Northumberland, North Yorkshire and, Tyne and Wear, Mrs Peacock described how crime is often driven by mental health and addiction issues.
She said: “In my work, not just in this role but over the years, I have seen too many people, mostly young people, whose lives have fallen over the mental health precipice, and quite a number who have been in trouble with the law.
“Many, but by no means all, have come from difficult family situations, and their problems range from depression to full-blown psychosis – but in almost every case I have discovered in the background experimentation with, or addiction to, drugs or alcohol, and often both.” The event, the most significant of the shrieval year, was held at Durham Cathedral on July 9 and attended by more than 200 people related to the judiciary, including High Court judges.
Also in attendance were High Sheriff of Northumberland John Dickinson, High Sheriff of Tyne and Wear, Lt Gen Robin Brimms and High Court judge Sir Alistair Norris.
Deputy High Sheriff Helen Dexter, from Tilly, Bailey and Irvine solicitors in Barnard Castle also attended.
Speaking about her visit to Durham Prison, Mrs Peacock said: “Durham is now a remand prison and it is full of young men with drug problems mostly. That is very big on my list of concerns.
“Addiction to illegal substances and alcohol, which is not illegal, is driving crime. I think those are problems that we are not dealing with in society as well as we should.
“It is really young blokes, their eyes are bright red and they are queuing up for methadone. It is very sad to see.”
Mrs Peacock said she was enjoying her new role as High Sheriff for the county which sees her act as the Queen’s representative for the judiciary as well as the police, prisons and emergency services.
She said: “My responsibility for the year is county wide.
“Obviously Teesdale is the part of County Durham that I know best, but it is one of the pleasures of my job it that it takes me into areas with which I am less well acquainted.
“I always make the point, as beautiful as Teesdale is and it looks prosperous, there is deprivation.
“There are areas where people in Teesdale have difficulties. Social isolation is a problem and obviously there is crime in all areas.
A collection made during the matins service is to be divided between the Durham Agency Against Crime (DAAC), which picks up and diverts young people from turning to crime in the first place, and NEPACS, a long-established service that supports the family and friends of prisoners, and helps rehabilitate ex-offenders.
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