Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jun 2006
Source: Evening News (UK)
Copyright: 2006 Archant Regional
Contact:  http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/141
Author:  Peter Walsh
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?207 (Cannabis - United Kingdom)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

12-YEAR-OLDS DEAL DRUGS ON OUR STREETS

Children as young as 12 have been caught by police dealing drugs on 
the streets of Norwich, an Evening News investigation has revealed.

The shock findings emerged in documents released today by Norfolk 
police under the Freedom of Information Act.

In total, 536 children, aged between 12 and 18, were stopped for 
possessing or dealing drugs, ranging from cannabis to heroin, during 
the three years up to 2005.

The revelations follow an Evening News report earlier this year which 
revealed Norfolk children as young as 14 were seeking help for heroin 
addiction.

While the majority of children stopped for drugs were in possession 
of cannabis, Norwich Coroner William Armstrong has, in the past, 
described cannabis as a a€oegateway druga€  to harder drugs for 
vulnerable youngsters. Mental illness charity Rethink has also 
highlighted concerns about cannabis and how it is linked to mental 
health problems, such as schizophrenia, in later life.

Richard Price, Norfolk police's drug availability liaison officer, 
said: a€oeNorfolk Constabulary remains committed to addressing the 
issue of substance misuse among young people.

"However, while we remain focused on enforcing the law, we also 
recognise the need to work with youngsters to educate and make them 
aware of the dangers drugs can pose as well the various treatment 
programmes available."

Figures for 2004 show that a 12-year-old from Gorleston was cautioned 
for drug dealing, although police would not reveal the substance 
involved, while in the same year a 15-year-old was caught supplying 
cannabis in North Walsham.

In Mile Cross, also in 2004, a 15-year-old was found to be in 
possession of a class C drug with intent to supply, and another 
16-year-old was found supplying heroin.

In 2005, a 16-year-old was found in possession of the Class A drug 
cocaine in Norwich city centre. On average, police stop about four 
children a week in connection with drug offences. The majority are 
given cautions, although some have been prosecuted.

Among the other findings were:

1) In 2003, 196 youngsters were found in possession of a drug in 
Norfolk, including a 12-year-old from Wymondham who was found in 
possession of cannabis, and a 15-year-old in Norwich city centre who 
was in possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

2) In 2004, 158 youngsters were found in possession of drugs in 
Norfolk, including a 14-year-old stopped in Norwich city centre who 
had cannabis with intent to supply.

3) In 2005, 182 people below 18 were found to be in possession of 
drugs in Norfolk, including an 11-year-old in possession of cannabis.

Many blame the downgrading of cannabis to a class C drug for its 
explosion, particularly among youths. It is illegal to be in 
possession of the drug and people can be cautioned, or formally 
warned, for possession of the drug.

Although not a criminal conviction, a caution is recorded on a police 
database where it remains, along with pictures or fingerprints for five years.

People under 17 caught in possession of cannabis are normally 
reprimanded in the first instance, given a final warning if caught 
again, and charged on a third occasion.

Mr Price added: "Crime reduction and harm reduction are overlapping 
considerations and we continue to work with a wide range of partners 
through the Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team, to develop a range 
of support, advice and guidance for young people."

Bill Gould, head teacher of Hellesdon High School, said he felt the 
figures were a reflection of the society we are living in.

"I'm afraid, sadly, I'm not surprised,"  he said. "Whether other 
people like it or not, youngsters are impressionable and I think they 
see people in society who use/abuse drugs who regard it as little 
more than an occupational hazard if they are charged with possession."

"People who are in the public gaze do have to, I believe, bear some 
sort of responsibility to the people who idolise them."

Mr Gould added that everyone had a role to play in trying to lead 
youngsters away from drug abuse.

Ian Clayton, head teacher at Thorpe St Andrew High School, said he 
was concerned, but again, not surprised by the figures.

"We have made a huge effort in terms of education and trying to get 
the message over,"  he said.

But Mr Clayton added part of the problem in policing the drugs menace 
was much of it was being done outside school.

"We have to be vigilant about this issue,"  he said. "Any school 
which says they don't have a problem with this is perhaps not being 
truthful. We all have children who are taking drugs in the evening."

Sophie Smith, joint commissioning officer for the Norfolk Drug and 
Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) said: "These highlight that cannabis 
possession was the most common offence and that the majority of 
arrests were of the age of 16 and above."

This correlates with national statistics on young people and drug use 
and local research conducted with young people in Norfolk.
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