WE NEED TO KEEP AHEAD OF THE DEALERS, SAYS MINISTER

Police chiefs and drug prevention agencies need to become more
sophisticated than the criminals if they are to win the battle against
drugs, Scotland's deputy justice minister said yesterday.

Angus MacKay said clever and manipulative drug dealers need to be
taken on and beaten at their own game.

Speaking at a major drugs conference for young people in Glasgow, Mr
MacKay revealed details of the new Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.
The body will use the latest surveillance equipment to beat the drug
dealers.

The agency will also have to power to take tough action against the
dealers and to tackle the problem of drugs in Scottish prisons.

Mr MacKay said that more specially trained police officers were
essential to keep ahead of the dealers.

The MSP revealed his strategy at the largest ever education-led drugs
event, "Choices For Life", which was attended by 12,000 children at
the SECC in Glasgow.

Mr McKay said: "We are going where we want to at the moment because we
now recognise that these criminals are extremely sophisticated. They
are always finding new ways of buying, selling and concealing drugs
from the eyes of the police."

Mr McKay, who will oversee the setting up of Scottish Drug Enforcement
Agency later this year, added: "We need to become more sophisticated,
more clever and we need to look at a whole range of methods to curb
the problem."

Mr McKay, who was joined by Strathclyde Police Chief Constable John
Orr and comedian Fred MacAuley, also conceded that more officers are
essential for the new approach.

"The more officers forces have the better because it all helps with
the fight. We also need the best possible equipment and trained officers."

Mr McKay, who refused to reveal how much money would be ploughed into
the initiative, said the bill would be met by the Scottish Office.

Mr Orr, who met teachers and parents during the all-day event, said he
was delighted at these latest steps to curb the problem. He said: "I
am very heartened that the government intend to set up an agency.

"The Association of Chief Police Officers Scotland will do all they
can to help in this work. This and events like this really help us
with the problems. I am delighted to be able to speak to these
children because ten years ago we couldn't have."