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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: Cannabis 'boosts' hard drug trade
BBC Online Wednesday 14 Jan 2004 Criminals are trying to use profits from the trade in cannabis and ecstasy to develop a market for harder drugs in Northern Ireland, a minister has said. Northern Ireland Office minister John Spellar said the government was concerned gangs were trying to nurture a market for heroin and crack cocaine. He told a House of Commons committee there was evidence some "organised criminals are seeking to expand the illegal drugs market in Northern Ireland". But he said intelligence would indicate that the dealers continue to trade mainly in cannabis. He made the comments in a 20-page response to a Northern Ireland Affairs committee report on the province's drug culture on Wednesday. "The Police Service of Northern Ireland's Drugs Squad will continue to devote considerable resources to tackling that (cannabis) market to disrupt supply routes and reduce the availability of cannabis," he said. "But it will also monitor closely the trends in the market to ensure that Class A drugs such as heroin and cocaine do not gain a foothold in Northern Ireland." The committee's report contained a warning to the government that it could have just three years to get its drugs strategy right in Northern Ireland. While Mr Spellar acknowledged there had been an increase in the availability of cocaine, he said Northern Ireland was starting from a very low base. There was "some anecdotal evidence" that crack cocaine was being used as an alternative to heroin. However, there was little evidence from police intelligence, seizures or the health service to suggest use of the drug had risen significantly. But Mr Spellar said the government would not be "complacent". He said it would "continually seek ways to improve the range and scope of information that can be made available to all agencies so that everyone has access to accurate and up-to-date information". The minister also said the government would look at how money and resources recovered from criminals by the Assets Recovery Agency could be ploughed back into Northern Ireland for the benefit of communities. He also revealed: - New powers for that agency were being sought from the Home Office and its budget had swelled by 19.2% to £15.5m for this year. - A new police power is being planned with the PSNI and Department of the Environment to test motorists suspected of being under the influence of drugs. - The PSNI will continue to improve contacts with the gardai in the Republic of Ireland in the fight against drug traffickers and dealers with the development of a joint cross-border threat assessment and strategy. - The government will continue to monitor the piloting of drug courts in Glasgow and Dublin and consider setting them up in Northern Ireland if they are proven to be an effective tool in tackling drug problems. - Efforts will continue to ensure people taking part in the needle and syringe exchange scheme are given sufficient privacy and dignity. - The government will try to develop a hepatitis C strategy this year with the production of a public information leaflet to raise awareness of it and a fact sheet for professionals. - A review of the effectiveness of the province's drug and alcohol strategy is likely to be held this year.
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