DRUGS: IT'S WAR WITHOUT END

A Dundee city councillor has warned the war on drugs is a battle in
which there will be no winner (writes Stefan Morkis). Readers have
contacted the Tele to complain of drug crime in Baluniefield Road and
Baluniefield Avenue in Douglas.

East end councillor Christina Roberts has also received reports of
open drug dealing in Aboyne Avenue in Craigie.

"I've heard of open drug use and selling in Aboyne Avenue, but it's a
problem that has come to light only in the last week or so," she said today.

"I've also heard about dealing outside a phone box in Glenconnor
Drive and in Linlathen.

"Part of the problem is we don't have cameras in this part of the
city and I would love to see the CCTV network extended ­ but where
will the money come from?"

Mrs Roberts said police had stepped up patrols in Douglas, but mobile
phones had made their job increasingly difficult.

"We have got a good set of patrols going round the area, but it's
like people know when the police are coming," the SNP councillor said.

"Mobile phones are the bane of the police. As soon as someone sees
them they phone around and everyone disappears. Then, when the police
have gone past, they're back again.

"The police are fighting a battle that is very difficult and I can't
see a winner here.

"We seem to go through phases where one area is bad, then it moves to
another area, or it is hidden for a while."

Mrs Roberts said the public held the key to ridding the streets of drugs.

"It's difficult for the police and the only way they can know what is
going on is if people come forward and tell them," she said.

"People just need to give them a phone ­ they can also call
Crimestoppers if they don't want to give their name."

One Tele reader said addicts were congregating in Baluniefield Road
and harassing people for money.

"In the last two or three months Baluniefield Road has become the
epicentre for drugs in Douglas, and by drugs I mean heroin and
cocaine," he said.

"The addicts are congregating at the corner of Baluniefield Road and
the Avenue as early as 6.30am and shouting and swearing at the elderly.

"There are up to 20 of them at a time, openly dealing and then
injecting and then throwing needles away where children play.

"I had to go out and physically restrain one till police arrived, but
had to let him go as a crowd appeared and I felt threatened as they
all pulled needles out ­ they are heckling people for money and cigs
all the time."