PCSP calls for public support in the fight against drugs
Fri, March 03, 2017
Drug dealers don’t care, do you?
That’s the question asked by Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership, as part of its latest campaign.
The PCSP has teamed up with Crimestoppers to highlight the damage drugs can cause to individuals, families and communities.
The campaign encourages the reporting of drug dealing and asks those taking drugs to question their choices. It wants to highlight the negative impact on family life, employment and social life.
Polydrug misuse – use of multiple substances over a prolonged period (such as mixing alcohol, prescription and over-the-counter medication and illicit drugs as shown in the campaign video clips) is becoming more and more common. The initiative aims to highlight that by multiplying your substances you are also multiplying your risk of causing harm to yourself and others.
The campaign is supported by a number of partner organisations. They include the PSNI and Drug and Alcohol Co-ordination Teams (DACTs) across Northern Ireland.
Alderman William King, Chair of Causeway Coast and Glens PCSP said: “We are committed to highlighting the impact of drugs on our communities. Our ultimate aim is to give confidence to communities to report drug dealing and make our cities and towns safer places for everyone. I welcome the ‘Drug Dealers Don’t Care, Do You?’ campaign. It highlights that every day drugs tear lives apart, tear families apart and tear communities apart”.
PCSP Vice-Chair Ashleen Schenning continued: “We can all play a part in stopping drug dealing by reporting drug dealers. We also want those taking drugs, their families or friends, to seek support from local services to make changes before it is too late. Don’t let drugs dealers destroy lives - call Crimestoppers now and help us stop them,” she added.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tim Mairs from the PSNI’s Reactive and Organised Crime Branch said: “This campaign launch coincides with the start of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s 2017 ‘Operation Torus’, which targets street level drug dealers.
“Operation Torus will run for four weeks during which time officers will continue to disrupt and arrest those involved in the sale and supply of drugs, bring individuals before the courts and work with communities and partner agencies to reduce the threat of harmful and illegal activity.
“We will always act on information we receive, so today I continue to appeal to communities to provide us with information about illegal drugs. If you don’t feel you can contact the police, please phone Crimestoppers who are an independent charity.”
Information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers by ringing 0800 555 111
PCSP Chair Alderman William King and Vice-Chair Ashleen Schenning pictured at the launch of ‘Drug Dealers Don’t Care, Do You?’ – a hard-hitting campaign aimed at tackling the issue of drugs, and drug dealing.