NEW BID TO CUT DRUGS CRIME UNVEILED

A NEW initiative is to be launched in a bid to cut the ever-increasing
level of drug-related crime in Northern Ireland.

The Drug Arrest Referral Scheme - which will provide offenders with advice
and treatment - will run initially as a pilot scheme at two Londonderry
police stations.

If successful, the scheme could be extended to RUC bases throughout the
province.

The initiative will be launched tomorrow as part of the Northern Ireland
drug strategy.

It will be operated by the Sperrin Lakeland Health and Social Care Trust in
conjunction with the Northern Ireland Office and a number of voluntary
organisations.

A spokesman for the trust said the new scheme aimed to help both the
offenders and cut the crime rates.

"The rationale for the project is based on a growing body of evidence which
shows that working partnerships between drug treatment agencies and the
criminal justice system can reduce illicit drug misuse and associated
drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour."

The pilot scheme will be based at the Waterside and Strand Road police
stations in Derry until March 2002.

Its impact will be assessed before a decision is taken whether to introduce
the scheme to other RUC stations.

Meanwhile, former Irish rugby international-turned DUP councillor, Davy
Tweed, has been holding a meeting with representatives of a European-based
anti-drugs initiative in a bid to stamp out drugs in Co Antrim.

The Ballymoney councillor, who has long campaigned on the drugs issue, was
part of a delegation from Ballymena which travelled to Belfast to meet
representatives of the European Cities Against Drugs (ECAD) organisation.