ORGANISED DRUG TRADE SELLS TO TEENAGERS IN THE NORTH

A big organised drug trade was being run in Launceston by dealers so
callous at least one had crushed fluorescent light bulbs into speed before
selling it, a shocked meeting of parents was told last night.

Street worker "Scotty" last night addressed the meeting of about 60 parents
organised by the Northern region of the Tasmanian Catholic Schools Parents
and Friends Federation.

Facilitator Geraldine Allan said the meeting was to acknowledge a drug
problem among young people in Launceston and give parents an idea of what
to do about it.

Scotty, who has helped 1600 young people affected by drugs and alcohol over
the last two years, said he was thrilled parents were taking a stand
because that had not always been the case.

"My biggest frustration in this town is denial," Scotty said.

"I knew Launceston was sick but, boy oh boy, we're in deep shit. One from
the substances and two from the denial."

Scotty said the problems would continue for as long as big-time dealers,
'The Untouchables," were allowed to operate.

He said it was wrong to think that dealers only lived in certain suburbs.

"Do you reckon a bloke making $150,000 a year on dope is going to live in
Mayfield? Wouldn't you like a nice place in Blackstone Heights or somewhere
like that? And it's not hard to make $150,000 a season, let me tell you,"
he said.

Alcohol was the most used drug by young people, Scotty said.

The next most popular were marijuana and prescription drugs, especially
Rohypnol, available on the streets for up to $7 a tablet.

Scotty said that "super-strong marijuana" was now in use, which was much
more harmful than the marijuana some parents might remember smoking in
their youth.

He said that parents also needed support groups so that families did not
fall apart trying to save one child from drugs.

o Tasmania Police Commissioner Richard McCreadie is attending a meeting of
the Australian National Council on Drugs in Canberra today.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski