COST OF TOWN'S DRUG FIX

Taxpayers in Watford are paying a staggering UKP10 million a year to
deal with the effects of substance abuse and drug related crime,
police estimate.

The figures, based on national averages, show policing drugs abusers
and supporting addicts costs every taxpayer in the country UKP58 a year.

That means in Watford - a town with a population of about 80,000
people - residents spend more than UKP4.5m a year on treating drug
users and alcoholics, and it costs them an estimated further UKP5.6m
on drug related crime.

Watford taxpayers are therefore having to cough up a shocking UKP10.3
million a year to deal with the effects of substance abuse.

Based on current street prices, police say more than UKP36,000 is
spend on illegal drugs by Watford residents every week.

That means more than UKP1.8 million a year is spent on illegal drugs,
including cannabis, crack cocaine and heroin.

The statistics, given at a meeting of Watford Borough Council's
call-in and performance scrutiny committee, are calculated from
national averages.

However, they highlight the shocking drain on public resources drugs
and drug related crime is having.

The statistics were also accompanied by figures highlighting police
activity in Watford over the past six months.