FORMER LORD MAYOR WARNS OF DRUGS EVIL

PUP Man In Appeal After Terrorist Find

PUP chairman Hugh Smyth today vowed to continue campaigning against drugs -
in spite of reports linking the UVF to a haul of Ecstasy in Belfast.

The PUP, the party of the former Lord Mayor, who is a key member of the
city's anti-drugs committee, came under the spotlight after police seized
1,000 tablets and cannabis close to a UVF bomb factory in Mount Vernon.

Voicing concern, committee chairman Eric Smyth said he would be raising the
incident with his PUP colleague.

"I have been saying all along that paramilitaries are involved in drugs,"
he said.

But today Hugh Smyth said he had been told there was no direct link between
the drugs and the weapons.

"I am totally anti-drugs and don't want anyone to be involved in drugs," he
said.

"Whose drugs they were is not important - my appeal is for everyone to
steer clear of drugs."

Mr Smyth said that no organisation could state with total certainty that
none of its members were drugs users.

However, he said that the UVF should restate its opposition to the
narcotics trade.

"They ought to make it clear that they will not tolerate drugs use or
abuse," he said.

Sinn Fein councillor Michael Browne, who also sits on the committee, said
the PUP seemed to have a "credibility problem" over the issue.

"They would need to clarify their position," he said.

"But all people of influence need to use their influence in a manner which
addresses the problem on the streets."

Eric Smyth has taken a prominent role in the city's anti-drugs efforts
since two of his sons were convicted of drugs-related offences.

Later this year, the council is hosting a major European anti-drugs conference.