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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Police pledge to end drugs misery (Norwich)
Peter Walsh Evening News, Norwich
Monday 07 May 2007 Police in Norfolk have today reiterated their desire to tackle the misery caused by illegal drugs, as new figures show drug-related deaths have almost doubled in just two years. The latest Government figures show that during 2005 60 people in the county suffered drug-related deaths - a rise from just 34 in 2003. This has prompted the city's coroner, drug workers and families of victims to voice their concerns over the rise. However, Norfolk Constabulary says it will continue to take a hard line on drugs and vowed to do all it can to catch and imprison organised dealers. In the last few weeks the force has carried out numerous successful drug raids on properties across the county. Det Sgt Dave Mytton, responsible for seven successful raids in Norwich alone over the past fortnight resulted in 11 arrests and the seizure of about 2,000 cannabis plants, said: “I hope this recent series of raids and arrests has sent out a strong message to criminals. We will not tolerate it and we are taking action and if you are involved in plying this trade, it is only a matter of time before we turn up on your doorstep.” The figures, which came were released in Parliament, are even more concerning when compared to other areas in East Anglia - most of which showed reductions in drug-related deaths over the same period. In Suffolk there were 25 drug related deaths in 2005, in Hertfordshire there were 43, while in Cambridgeshire there were 26. Essex showed a slight increase from 45 in 2003 to 47 in 2005 - but it was still substantially lower than Norfolk. Penny McVeigh, chief executive of Norwich-based drug and alcohol advisory service Norcas, today described the figures as “extremely worrying”. She said: “The sad truth of the matter is that the number of problematic drug users continues to increase across the country and Norfolk is no exception. “Consequently there are increases in the number of drugs related deaths. It should however be seen in context with the number of alcohol related deaths which will be considerably higher. The part that alcohol plays in alcohol-related deaths is considerably more significant than these very sad drugs figures.” Norwich Coroner William Armstrong said: “Certainly there are a depressing number of people who are dying through drugs misuse.” Shirley Waller, 42, is the widow of Stephen, 40, who died from a heroin overdose in January 2004 after a court blunder led to him being let out of Norwich Prison 10 weeks early. Mrs Waller, of Lakenham, who had three daughters with her husband, described the figures as “disgusting” and showed more needed to be done in this area to help drug users and abusers. She “It doesn't seem as if anything has been done to help anyone. “There's not anything to show anyone the way - I never see any advice or anything for people. It just seems a shame the figures are going up. “I feel so sorry for the other families, I wouldn't wish what me and my daughters have gone through on anyone.” A Norfolk police spokesman said: “A key element of our work is to reduce the number of deaths associated with the misuse of illegal drugs. We do this by making our work with partner agencies a priority. Both crime reduction and harm reduction are overlapping considerations and we continue to work closely with the Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team to achieve our aims.” Daniel Harry, from Norfolk's Drugs and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT), said the figures quoted were potentially “misleading” as they list a large number of different statistical definitions of drug related deaths. He said: “The DAAT, in common with all DAATs across the UK, works to reduce the harm caused by illegal drugs. A key element of this work is to reduce the number of deaths associated with the misuse of illegal drugs. “It is a priority for the DAAT to work with partners to reduce the number of drug related deaths in Norfolk. An example is the 2005 Ambulance protocol between Norfolk Constabulary, East Anglia Ambulance Trust and Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team. “This means that people whose friends have overdosed can call for an ambulance without Police automatically attending. In the past, the fear of Police attending has deterred people from phoning for an ambulance, increasing the risk of a drug related death. The Police will still attend where Ambulance staff fear for their safety or if there is a suggestion of foul play.” # Further details about the work carried out by the Norfolk Drug and Alcohol Action Team can be found on the website www.nordat.org.uk
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