Pubdate: Mon, 19 May 2008
Source: Evening Chronicle (UK)
Copyright: 2008 Trinity Mirror Plc
Contact:  http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3668
Author: Brenda Hickman

POLICE STEP UP FIGHT AGAINST DRUG DEALERS

A war on drugs blighting communities is being waged this week on every level.

A police purge on drug dealers and the work of agencies helping 
addicts will be highlighted in the Tackling Drugs campaign.

Northumbria Police is backing the Home Office in a national drugs 
awareness drive.

Enforcers are not only taking on the drug barons and breaking up 
distribution networks, but also helping users live a drug-free life.

Northumbria Police's Det Insp Mandy Shea, of the force intelligence 
department's drug section, said: "We are committed to disrupting the 
supply of drugs, closing crack houses and cannabis farms, and 
reducing drug-related crime.

"We should not lose sight of the fact drug dealers profit from the 
misery of others.

"Drugs destroy the lives of people who use them but those involved in 
dealing don't care. We are taking the fight to the dealers, placing 
them before the courts and depriving them of their liberty, as well 
their assets obtained through the misery of others."

Work by partner agencies to steer abusers away from drugs and 
drugs-related crimes has been an uphill struggle, but successes have achieved.

Det Insp Shea added: "We support the work of partner agencies such as 
local drug action teams and the crime and disorder reduction 
partnerships to deliver drug advice and information to communities, 
families and youngsters."

In the past two years, officers have seized 57kg of heroin, 21kg of 
cocaine, 30,000 ecstasy tablets, 48kg of amphetamines, 1,220kg of 
cannabis resin and 500kg of cannabis plants in a series of major operations.

Officers have also seized 3,000 rounds of ammunition and eight firearms.

Financial investigators have been targeting drug dealers and removing 
their assets.

Between August 2006 and March this year, 113 confiscation orders were 
made by local courts with a value of almost UKP1.5m.

To build on this success, neighbourhood policing teams are working 
directly with communities.

Tackling the drugs menace had led to major successes with information 
from local families helping police to identify drug dealers and 
disrupt markets.

The Chronicle has campaigned for drugs awareness and crime prevention 
in our War on Drugs initiative.

It was launched three years ago after the tragic death of young 
addict John Courtney.

On April 2, 2005, former Newcastle United trainee footballer John 
Courtney was found dead in his uncle's flat, lying on a grubby carpet 
next to a syringe after his final fix.

With the backing of his family, we printed the harrowing image of his 
corpse in a bid to urge others not to journey down the same road.

Since then, the Chronicle has worked to raise awareness of drugs 
abuse, improve access to services and catch dealers.

On the third anniversary of John's death, his mother, Angie, backed 
calls for addicts to be stripped of their benefits if they fail to 
keep up with their treatment plans.

Angie, 48, of Losh Terrace, Walker, Newcastle, said: "Losing John 
hurts as much as ever and it is all because of heroin.

"People think I am crazy for saying this, but I was over the moon 
when I heard they were planning to stop people's benefits if they refuse help.

"If they are told they will lose their money, it will be the 
incentive to stick at it. As long as they think they can keep doing 
what they want and they'll get their money anyway, they won't bother."

John had been on the road to football fame.

As a youngster playing for Walker Central, Newcastle Boys and his 
school, he excelled and was dubbed another Shearer.

But at the age of 18 he dabbled with heroin and his life descended 
into a cycle of crime and addiction which saw him spend time in jail.

Three weeks after being released from a spell behind bars, he was 
killed by a heroin overdose.

Since our War on Drugs campaign was launched, we have set up a 
dedicated website to give visitors information on drugs and details 
about how to get help.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom