MINI-TSARS TO BE RECRUITED FOR DRUG WAR

Drugs tsar Keith Hellawell was today unveiling a plan to create hundreds of
mini-tsars around the country.

Every local authority will have to appoint its own anti-drugs co-ordinator
from April.

The new chiefs, who must be elected councillors, will head drug-action
teams responsible for fighting the problem in their areas.

The mini-tsar plan came as part of the Government's bid to let local
authorities take the lead in looking after social welfare.

Until now, campaigns against drugs at a local level have been run by a
mixture of police, health and educational authorities, and other agencies.

The new teams, headed by a council member with the anti-drugs portfolio,
will be just one step down the ladder from Mr Hellawell.

"I am convinced that a willingness to work together at national and local
level will help to create a safer society," he said.