TACKLING drugs and changing lives, a county wide police campaign kicks off next week.And Suffolk Constabulary is asking for help from all sections of the community as they continue to crackdown on the use of and dealing of illegal drugs.
TACKLING drugs and changing lives, a county wide police campaign kicks off next week.
And Suffolk Constabulary is asking for help from all sections of the community as they continue to crackdown on the use of and dealing of illegal drugs.
Officers are urging locals to act as their eyes and ears and to report any suspicious behaviour surrounding the supply and use of drugs in their communities - as National Tackling Drugs Week runs from May 19 to May 23.
Detective Chief Inspector David Skevington said: “Suffolk Constabulary is dedicated to targeting drug dealing, drug misuse and the associated crime. This campaign aims to highlight the positive work we do all year round in taking drugs and dealers off the streets.
“This issue blights our local communities and our message is 'Your call can make a difference'. Information from members of the public is key in tackling this issue. While overall crime is down, latest figures for 2007/8 show an increase of 5.8% in the number of drug offences being recorded. This increase reflects the hard work and pro-active approach to drug enforcement and information from the public will help to target this area even further.”
The county force works with its partners at the Suffolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT). It is estimated that there are approximately 2,600 problem drug users in Suffolk. The links between drug use and crime are clearly established - as around three-quarters of crack and heroin users claim they commit crime to feed their habit.
Getting those people who use drugs into treatment is a priority for Suffolk DAAT, as Simon Aalders, DAAT coordinator, said: “National tackling drugs week is an ideal opportunity to highlight some of the excellent partnership work taking place in Suffolk. “Last year 1460 people received drug treatment in the county, an increase of over 200 on the previous year. This demonstrates two things very clearly, one: help is now more available than ever before and two: that the problem of drug abuse effects a significant number of people in the county.”
If you have information about drug activity in your local area, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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