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Pubs serve up drug crackdown message

Sue Carr
9/ 5/2005

PUB landlords are serving up a serious warning to drug users.

High Peak Community Safety Partnership has launched a hard-hitting campaign to warn people about the dangers of taking drugs. And with the dangers displayed on beer mats throughout pubs and clubs in the borough, there's no escaping the message for punters.

Operation Crackdown highlights the risks of taking cocaine and ecstasy which research has shown are the problem drugs in High Peak.

It is hoped that using the posters and beer mats at the times drugs are most likely to be used will make people aware of the dangers. Cocaine is expensive, addictive, can destroy users' nasal passages and can lead to panic attacks. Taking Ecstasy can result in dehydration or in frequent users has been linked to mental health problems, liver, kidney and brain damage. Both can result in death especially when taken with alcohol.

Councillor John Pritchard, deputy chair of the partnership, said: "There is no such thing as a safe recreational drug. Operation Crackdown will remind people of this when they are most vulnerable to temptation, after a few drinks."

Stephen Holme, chair of the High Peak's drug and alcohol action group, added: "We want people who use or who are tempted to use these drugs to think about the dangers involved. They should ask themselves if it is worth the risk to their health."

Anyone with information on drugs call police on 0845 1233333 or the free and confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.