Pubdate: Thu, 6 Sep 2007 Source: South London Press (UK) Copyright: Trinity Mirror Plc 2007 Contact: http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3106 Author: Greg Truscott, Chief Reporter TARGETING DRUG TOURISTS PEOPLE caught buying drugs in a town centre are to have their faces published on posters. Labour-run Lambeth council is expected to agree plans in October to name and shame "drug tourists" who come to Brixton to buy illegal drugs. It means people arrested and convicted for drug offences in the town could be given Antisocial Behaviour Orders (Asbo) banning them from the area as part of the council's new drug deterrence policy. Their pictures will be published on posters and the council's website,and circulated to the media as part of the hard-line initiative to clean up Brixton. Lambeth's cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Mark Bennett, said: "For too long Brixton has had a reputation as a place to buy drugs. "People come here on buses, trains and the Victoria line to buy drugs - - Brixton even features in some alternative tourist guides as the place to get drugs. "This administration is saying loud and clear that it is not acceptable to buy and sell drugs anywhere in our borough. If we can change our reputation we can drive this trade off our streets and make our streets safer." The policy will be given the go-ahead at the council's cabinet meeting next month although full details of how the scheme will be implemented have yet to be released. But it is understood that people convicted of drug offences in Brixton - especially those who live outside the area - will be considered for a post-conviction Asbo. Conditions of the Asbo could see people banned from the town centre or given curfews. The council's Antisocial Behaviour Team will then decide whether to publish details. Vulnerable people with mental health problems or in need of help for drug addictions will not be singled out to be named and shamed. But people who come to Brixton to buy drugs and encourage the illegal trade that blights the town will be considered for the poster treatment. Cllr Bennett added: "We have been working on it since May last year and have worked through all of the legal issues. We are hopeful it is going to make a difference." The poster plan is expected to begin around November. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake