THE INFLUENCE OF DRUGS

THE weekend seizure of a pounds 1m heroin haul in Belfast is a shocking
reminder of the increase in both the volume and the nature of the drugs now
coming into Northern Ireland.

It also underlines the rise in the rate of drugs related crimes in the
province.

Today the Belfast Telegraph provides a complete breakdown of figures
throughout Northern Ireland, giving you a clear picture of how your area is
affected by crimes ranging from car theft to sexual assault.

The rate of drugs offences is particularly worrying since, as one drugs
worker points out, it has a knock on effect with many addicts turning to
other crimes to fund their habit.

Ballymena tops Ulster's league of crime for drug offences for the second
year running.

Of the 1,716 drug offences across Northern Ireland, police figures show a
total of 146 drugs offences, just two less than for the previous year, in
the north Antrim town.

That was 50 more than the Lisburn sub division which had the second highest
rate.

Lisburn's tally of 96 was 29 higher than 1998-1999.

The revelation follows last Friday's massive drugs operation in the town by
120 police officers which resulted in 15 arrests and the seizure of heroin,
cocaine, Esctasy and cannabis.

Police also believe that the pounds 1m heroin seizure on Saturday in north
Belfast was destined for Ballymena. It was the largest haul of the illegal
drug ever seized by the RUC.

Ballymena drugs worker and community activist David Warwick said that the
area needs Government funding for a detox rehabilitation centre.

He claimed that the move would cut crime overall in the town as drug addicts
were carrying out other crimes.

Mr Warwick said: "We have between 800 and 1,000 drug addicts in Ballymena.
An addict will spend a minimum of pounds 30 per day, around pounds 200 per
week.

"The money for this is coming from crime. It is costing the community a lot.

"That is why there is a high crime rate here. We need a detox rehabilitation
centre where addicts could go on 18-month or two-year programmes. That would
not only help them but the whole community by reducing crime. "

He said that possible sites for such a centre could be Maghaberry Prison or
the Maze Prison which is now empty.

One of those affected by Ballymena's crime rate is shopkeeper and local
councillor Sam Henry.

He has suffered several thefts and fears that drug addicts are stealing to
fund their habit.

"There have been a lot of thefts in the town and a number on my premises,"
he said.

"I would expect that the drugs drive a lot of people to crime to pay for
them. Business people in the town are very aware of the problems and make
sure they lock up properly."

The drug crime rate figures also highlight other areas which have hit the
headlines for drug related crime. Antrim recorded a tally of 60.

The RUC sub-division covering Larne has the lowest number of drug related
crimes over the 1999-2000 financial year with just seven being recorded as
opposed to 18 the previous year.

The areas covering Banbridge in Co Down and Lisnaskea in Co Fermanagh also
had low numbers of drug crimes over the 1999-2000 financial year with just
10 recorded in each region.

That was a drop of 19 or 190% on the previous year for Banbridge but an
increase of eight for the Lisnaskea area.