County Lines Drugs

Colton was born into a middle-class family where his father was headteacher at the local Community College and his mother provided foster care to younger children. He spent most of his spare money on cannabis, regarding it as a recreational drug, however it soon turned into an addiction and when his father lost his job he was desperate to maintain his drug cravings. Unfortunately he was unwittingly recruited as a county lines dealer and his life quickly unravelled as he was forced into activities the full horror of which only became known after it was too late.

Rejected by his parents, he effectively became a modern day slave dependent on his dealer for food, accommodation and survival. Was Colton a victim or a criminal? What could have been done to keep him safe?