'DEAL WITH DRUGS OR WE WILL LEAVE'

Over 60 families are threatening to leave west Belfast unless Government
agencies tackle drug dealing and joyriding in the area, it was claimed today.

Sinn Fein councillor Michael Ferguson made the claim after residents of
Poleglass took to the streets on Saturday for the fifth consecutive week in
a "protest clean-up".

Dozens of people gathered to remove graffiti, brush up the streets and hold
a white line picket in protest at local drug dealers and joyriders.

Mr Ferguson today claimed that 42 people linked to joyriding and drug
dealing were responsible for the trouble and for giving the area a bad name.

He said: "These protests are designed at building confidence in people and
for them to reclaim their streets.

"It is aimed at establishing community safe zones. This community does not
want a small group ruining the area.

"We need help in our efforts to address the social ills created by
disadvantage and deprivation."

He called for the Assembly and the Government to support the community's
application for pounds 6.2m from the URBAN Initiative funding which is to
be made available through the European structural funds.

He also revealed that the Community Restorative Justice organisation hoped
to arrange a meeting with Government agencies including the Housing
Executive, Probation Service, Social Services and Down and Lisburn Health
Trust.

Mr Ferguson also claimed that more than 60 people would hand transfer
applications to the Housing Executive unless government agencies address
the problem in Poleglass.