DRUGS SUMMIT PLANS BATTLE STRATEGY

New ways of tackling Ulster's growing drugs problem were being examined at
a major international conference today.

Over 150 experts from local health, education, government and voluntary
sectors, along with representatives from leading international drugs
bodies, were due to discuss methods of wiping out widespread drug abuse
during the two-day gathering in Cookstown.

The impact of a "zero-tolerance" approach from the police was one of the
possible solutions to be considered.

Conference organiser Michael Owen, of the Eastern Drug Co-ordination team,
said: "The growing scale of the drug problem here demands that all relevant
agencies work together and in ways that really produce results.

"This means we must share our knowledge and, more importantly, work in a
cohesive way to produce innovative and effective schemes that successfully
combat the risks posed by drug misuse."