POLICE TARGETS 'TAKE FOCUS OFF ADDICTS'

Enforcing the law on Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine
has become a low priority for police as they concentrate on trying to
achieve government targets.

Known addicts are seldom searched when officers spot them in the
street, even though it is a serious offence and many addicts are
involved in petty crime to fund their habits, according to a study
funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

It found target-setting and a move towards visible street patrols had
lessened the focus on problem drug use.

Stewart Lister, of the University of Leeds, led the study, which will
be unveiled this week at a conference of the Association of Chief
Police Officers.

England has an estimated 330,000 heroin and crack addicts who are
responsible for a large proportion of offences such as shoplifting,
prostitution and begging.