Paolo Pertica Award

Paolo worked within a number of drug service providers, managing a wide range of services for drug users, most of who were in prison, or being dealt with within other parts of the criminal justice system. Amongst these organisations was the Prisoners Resource Service, where he was the Service Manager. The work of this pioneering service provided much of the model adopted by HM Prison Service to develop their CARAT services and was seen by colleagues in other countries involved in EDIPP as an effective approach. Paolo travelled extensively to provide consultancy and training for these colleagues and is still held in high esteem by many of them.

Moving away from service delivery and also away from London in 2001 relocating to Blackpool, Paolo latterly worked as a senior manager in the commissioning and strategic development of a range of services, including in the fields of drugs and crime reduction and spending his free time fishing and supporting Blackpool Football Club.

Sadly Paolo passed away in 2019, leaving behind his wife and two children. Together they decided that they would like to see the award continue in his memory and we are delighted to be able to do this.