Cree expresses drug fears

Speaking following the release of findings from a Youth Development Survey by Queen’s University, which revealed worrying statistics over child drug use, Ulster Unionist MLA for North Down and Northern Ireland Policing Board member Leslie Cree has expressed grave concerns.

"Worrying research conducted by Queen’s has been released today which stated that nearly one in 10 children under the age of 12 in Northern Ireland have tried cannabis. It would also appear that nearly half of children and young people under the age of 18 have tried cannabis.

"I find these statistics highly concerning. It is clear that we need to do much more to educate our children about the dangers of illegal drugs. We also need to obstruct all import routes into Northern Ireland so that we reduce their availability," the Policing Board member said.

"On a more positive note, I am pleased that another £150,000 worth of Class A and Class C drugs have been taken off our streets by a successful drugs operation in Larne. I would also like to pay tribute to our officers in the Organised Crime Branch who work tirelessly to confiscate illegal drugs.

"This operation also comes less than two weeks after a major operation against drug dealers in County Antrim. Last year, a total of 3,198 drug seizure incidents were recorded - an increase of 7.7% on the previous year - and over two thousand people were arrested.

"In 2007, there were 86 drug-related deaths in Northern Ireland. While these findings relate to both legal and illegal drugs, it goes without saying that if we took more illegal drugs off our streets we may see this figure drop.

"Drugs have a devastating impact on the lives of our children and young people. Addiction damages the infrastructure of communities. By taking these drugs off the streets communities are saved from crime and the anti-social behaviour which is associated with drug dealing."

ENDS…