TELEPHONE HOTLINE TO DOB IN DRUG DEALERS

A GOLD Coast MP has launched a "dob-in-a-drug-deal" telephone line after
witnessing an alleged drug deal during a visit to a nightclub.

Launching the campaign yesterday, Gold Coast MP and Opposition police
spokesman Allan Grice said drug dealing had been witnessed in local coffee
shops, in five-star hotels and in hotel toilets on the coast.

He said Gold Coast hospital was handling four to five narcotic-related
admissions a day and at least two deaths on the coast each week were
drug-related.

But more police was not the answer, Mr Grice said.

"Members of the public need to take responsibility for reporting suspicious
activity they believe is drug related," he said.

"There are so many people who I talk to who have seen something happen and
tell me but they won't ring up the police."

Mr Grice said he recently decided to take an active approach to the problem
and had, over the past several Saturday nights, toured the clubs, haunts
and other places known for drug-dealing.

Mr Grice said he witnessed a deal at one nightclub when two plastic
satchels were passed to a young, blonde woman.

Since seeing this incident, Mr Grice said he wanted to see a "no-holds
barred fight against the grubs who are prepared to be accomplices in the
death of our young people."

He said Gold Coast police would be manning the telephone line from today as
part of an ongoing campaign to encourage citizens to speak out against drug
dealers.

"It's not an Operation Noah that just runs for 24 hours and then ends. It's
going to run as long as we can keep rolling it along," he said.

Mr Grice said another part of the campaign was to highlight alternatives
for young people, such as rehabilitation centres and cure courses.

He said two posters prepared by the police carry drug identification
information and warning signs for parents about potential addiction.

Mr Grice said the telephone number for "dob-in-a-dealer" on the Gold Coast
was 55707856 and members of the public would be assured of confidentiality.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson