HOTLINE TO CATCH PLAYGROUND DEALERS

CHILDREN are to be enlisted in the Government's war on drugs by being given
a telephone hotline to report sightings of dealers active near their
schools.

Tony Blair yesterday pledged to hammer out details of the plan with
Education Secretary David Blunkett within a week.

The scheme will be based on the Metropolitan Police's successful "Rat on a
Rat" campaign, which has led to hundreds of suspected dealers being reported
by members of the public.

"I am going to be talking with the police and the Education Department this
week about whether we can extend the Rat on a Rat idea, giving a dedicated
number so that pupils can call in confidence if they see someone peddling
drugs near their school," said Mr Blair.

Speaking in the second of his new Internet broadcasts, the Prime Minister
added: "Young children are targeted. We have to engage them in the fight
against this evil worldwide trade." Mr Blair also highlighted the
recruitment of 300 extra drugs counsellors, at a cost of UKP500,000, to help
addicts to kick their habit.

"Some of these people want to get off drugs but unless they get treatment
they don't get the chance," he said.

"If we get young offenders off drugs, there'll be far more chance of
stopping them re-offending, since they're often offending to feed the
habit."The adverts for these new posts will go out in the next few days."