Published: 10 January 2007
Drug Dealers Don’t Care
An effective campaign to encourage the public to help get more drug dealers off the streets is to be extended across Scotland.
The recent localised Drug Dealers Don't Care (DDDC) campaign in six local authority areas is to be extended to include Dundee, Aberdeen and South Lanarkshire.
Two previous DDDC campaigns, each lasting six weeks in 2005 and 2006, have led directly to over 5,000 drugs-related calls to Crimestoppers, 530 arrests and the seizure of over £1.6 million worth of cash and drugs.
The campaign, paid for entirely from the assets seized from criminals, is designed to encourage the public to give information anonymously to Crimestoppers Scotland about drug dealers operating in their area.
This information is then passed to the police to enable them to build up sufficient intelligence to arrest these individuals and stop them peddling their evil trade.
Deputy Justice Minister Johann Lamont said:
"Drugs, and the callous criminals who peddle them, are a scourge on our society. Individuals, families and communities can all suffer from this evil trade.
Crime in Scotland is falling and violent crime is at its lowest level since devolution. However, there are still too many individuals making money out of being involved in drug dealing and drug trafficking.
The Executive's Drug Dealers Don't Care campaign is encouraging the public to call Crimestoppers and give information anonymously to help get even more dealers behind bars.
The campaign sends a clear message to the dealers that they cannot continue to benefit from the proceeds of their ill-gotten gains. Once caught, these dealers will not only be facing prison, but also could be stripped of the proceeds of their crime.
Drug dealers owe a debt to those they have preyed on and we will ensure that those communities hardest hit by serious violent crime will be helped to repair the damage and lead safer lives - all funded from criminals' pockets.
The police and other agencies involved are having real success in tackling the supply of drugs. More dealers are being arrested, more networks and drugs factories are being disrupted, more hard drugs are being taken off the streets, and more assets of dealers are being frozen or seized.
I would urge anyone who has information, no matter how insignificant they may think it is, to call Crimestoppers Scotland on 0800-555-111.
Their lines are open 24 hours a day and that one piece of information could provide the final bit of evidence that helps the police get one of these criminals off the street."
Detective Superintendent Gillian Wood, National Drugs Co-ordinator, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), said:
"The dangers associated with illicit drugs and the misery evil dealers bring to areas have a debilitating, insidious and sometimes fatal effect on individuals and the wider community.
The Drug Dealers Don't Care campaign helps the people of Scotland reclaim their communities from the threat and harm from drug dealers and drug related crime.
I cannot emphasise enough, the importance information provided by members of the public to such campaigns has in tackling those who deal and traffic drugs in our communities.
Our communities can be assured that the SCDEA and Scottish Police Forces will continue to maximise the risks involved in drug dealing by utilising and acting upon information from these campaigns, ultimately to create an increasingly hostile environment for those involved in the trafficking of controlled drugs.
I would encourage anyone who has information on drug dealing in their area to pick up the phone to Crimestoppers and help the police get more dealers off the streets and prevent more lives being devastated by drugs".
Background
This latest phase of the Drug Dealers Don't Care campaign will run until 20 January 2007 with the following local authority areas being targeted:
· Edinburgh
· Dundee
· Aberdeen
· South Lanarkshire
· North Ayrshire
· Renfrewshire
· Glasgow
· West Dumbarton
· Inverclyde
Dundee, Aberdeen and South Lanarkshire have been added to this latest phase as, like the other areas already included in last year's localised campaign, they are affected by serious violent crime, often a sign of the turf-wars associated with the drugs trade.
The campaigns truck roadshow will visit the following locations to raise awareness of the campaign among local communities:
January
· Wednesday 10 - Dundee: Wellgate Shopping Centre
· Thursday 11 - Aberdeen: Loch Street
· Saturday 13 - South Lanarkshire: Hamilton Town Centre
· Sunday 14 - North Ayrshire: Somerfield store car park, Saltcoats
· Monday 15 - Renfrewshire: County Square, Paisley
· Tuesday 16 - Glasgow: St Enoch Square
· Wednesday 17 - West Dumbarton: Clyde Shopping Centre
· Thursday 18 - Inverclyde: Cathcart Square, Greenock
The campaign will comprise adverts & features in local press and radio and this latest phase of the DDDC campaign will cost £306,000 - £126,000 for advertising and £180,000 for additional police costs etc.
Further information
Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA)
Drug Dealers Don't Care
Crimestoppers Scotland Tel: 0800-555-111
Know the Score
Local Drug Action Teams (DAT's)
Drug Misuse Information Scotland
Related articles
Successful Scottish Anti-Drugs Campaign
Quality Standards for Substance Misuse Services in Scotland
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