Police boss blasts antidrugs posters
by Tanya Thompson

THE man tipped to be Tony Blair's drugs supremo, Grampian Police chief Ian
Oliver, launched a scathing attack on the Scotland Against Drugs campaign
last night.
Mr Oliver said new posters, based on a survey which found that 56% of
16yearold Scots have tried illegal drugs, gave youngsters the wrong
impression.
The chief constable was speaking at a meeting of the Grampian Joint Police
Board at Elgin, where he revealed the latest figures in his annual
statistical report.
One of the posters shows a blackboard with the question chalked on it:
"What do you call a teenager who uses drugs?" The answer reads: "The
majority."
Mr Oliver said the posters gave teenagers the message that drugtaking is
the norm.
He said: "I don't believe this is an accurate statement of fact and sends
out a mixed message.
"The more prominent message that could be taken from that poster is that if
you are a youngster who is not using drugs, you are in the minority."
But last night David Whitton, a spokesman for Scotland Against Drugs,
vigorously defended the posters and said earlier advertisements produced
by the group had won a string of awards.
He said: "Who is he speaking on behalf of? The previous adverts that we did
won seven awards nationally for their creativity and for getting the
message across.
"The latest advertising is specifically targeted at raising the awareness
of what is going on at parents who don't think drugs affect them.
"The posters draw strong reactions, but that is what they are for."
The offending poster is based on figures from a survey of 10,000 children
in schools throughout Scotland, believed to be one of the largest samples
ever taken.
Mr Whitton added: "The information is that 56% of 16yearolds have tried
illegal drugs.
"This was aimed at the more mature members of the population who need to be
shaken out of their lethargy.
"Hopefully, it will get parents speaking to their children about drugs."
Another TV campaign advertisement from Scotland Against Drugs shows an
elderly woman sitting at home alone while a young man breaks into her house
to steal money to finance his drug addiction.
"This is just sending out the message that elderly people are the most
vulnerable," said Mr Oliver.
"I must express my grave concern at some of the advertising being used to
get the message over."
Mr Oliver talked of the growing scourge of heroin peddled on Northeast
streets and revealed that addicts were running up huge crime bills to feed
their habit.
Figures show that, on average, each Northeast junkie is using an
astounding UKP30,000worth of heroin every year and as stolen property is
sold on for a third of its retail value, that means an addict has to steal
UKP90,000worth of goods to pay for it.
The report shows 1,746 people were caught with drugs. More than 500
involved in supplying were also apprehended.
Seizures of heroin more than doubled, from just over 2kg in the same period
last year to nearly 5kg, worth at least UKP500,000.
Hauls of the rave drug ecstasy were up by more than 1,000 to 3,608, while
cannabis resin seizures amounted to 15kg.
Mr Oliver said drugs were perhaps the greatest threat to the fabric of
society and feared a future where drugtaking is part of everyday life.
His comments came after five people died of drug overdoses in the
Northeast within a fortnight and a further 12 were saved only by the skill
of the emergency services in Aberdeen.
The statistical report for 19961997 revealed that drug abuse claimed 30
lives in the Grampian area last year.
Mr Oliver said: "That is higher than many other areas of Scotland.
"We have been very successful in catching major dealers but you no
sooner take one out than another two or three jump into their place.
"I cannot give an answer as to why Aberdeen and the Northeast has such a
serious problem regarding availability of hard drugs.
"Perhaps the area, because of its economy, is being targeted because
dealers know there are going to be rich returns. The rewards can be huge."
Mr Oliver called for a coordinated campaign, from the schoolroom to the
boardroom, against the drugs menace.
Meanwhile, the Scotland Against Drugs weeklong Shop A Dealer campaign is
being repeated after its first run last year led to 200 arrests and drugs
worth UKP365,000 being seized across Scotland.
The Crimestoppers phone line received 62 calls in the opening weekend of
Shop A Dealer week.
A Shop A Smuggler hotline has also been set up by Grampian Police.
The hardline approach is part of National Drugs Awareness Week,
highlighting the growing social problems caused by drug misuse.