Published: Wednesday, 5th December, 2007 09:30
Dealers targeted in shadow of new school
By Tracey Bryce
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Drug squad officers smashed their way into the homes of suspected dealers.
Pic by: David Robertson
POLICE smashed a series of Clackmannanshire’s major drugs rings by targeting suspected dealers operating in the shadow of the new Alloa Academy site.
The early morning lull on several housing schemes in the ‘bottom end’ of the town – and just a stone’s throw away from the new multi-million pound secondary school – was shattered as officers moved in armed with enforcer batons on Friday to seize over £1500 worth of illicit substances from eight properties.
While the operation was hailed a success – with seven people reported to the Procurator Fiscal – concerns have been raised that pupils attending the new state-of-the-art Alloa Academy could become exposed to the evil drugs trade which lurks on the building’s doorstep.
Councillor Mark English, who accompanied police on the raids, told the Advertiser, “Drugs are becoming a cancer within our communities – and the distribution of these drugs seized by police was taking place within yards of the site of the new Alloa Academy.”
The SNP councillor congratulated police on their success and professionalism, but insisted it was “imperative” to stamp out all drugs and suspected dealers from the area before pupils move into the school in October next year.
“We’ve got to look at the protection of children now, and the next generation,” Mr English said. “I will continue to work with the police and other agencies, and support them in their efforts to eradicate the problem.”
Residents living near some of the properties being searched raised similar concerns, with one woman claiming that children as young as 14 living in one of the schemes are regularly using drugs.
A mother told the Advertiser that her son was forced to undergo rigorous testing for HIV last year after falling on a hypodermic needle left on a grass verge.
“It was a nightmare – a very worrying time for us,” she said. “This used to be a beautiful estate where kids could go out and play, but now it’s just not safe. I worry about the new school being so close.”
However, Clackmannanshire Council’s chief executive, Dave Jones insisted that every possible step would be taken to ensure drugs stay well outwith the gates of the new Alloa Academy.
“We will make every attempt to ensure that there is no cause for concern for pupils of Alloa Academy,” he told the Advertiser.
“We will be ensuring that we try to maintain – through the community wardens and the police – the safest possible conditions for pupils.”
Mr Jones added, “The new schools will be more secure than the existing buildings and will be monitored by CCTV systems. Whilst it is regrettable that there are several suspected drug dealers in the area, we hope that the police are clamping down in a bid to rid the area of these people before the new school opens.”
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