Campaign reduces GHB drug usage in Oswestry area
A focussed campaign to reduce levels of GHB drug usage in the Oswestry area, was today hailed a success by a senior police officer.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, the head of CID in Shropshire, said a concerted effort by public authorities over the past few months, had resulted in a marked improvement.
But he warned there would be no let up by the police and its partner agencies in targeting those manufacturing and supplying GHB and its component drug GBL.
The police, Shropshire Council, the director of public health and the Drug and Alcohol Action Team (DAAT) have conducted a co-ordinated response tackling GHB usage and its associated problems in the Oswestry area.
Their efforts have been endorsed by others in the local community, including Oswestry MP Mr Owen Patterson.
DCI Edwards said: “As a result of the ongoing enforcement and educational initiatives, there has been a dramatic reduction in the availability of GHB in the area.
“This is really good news for the local community and hopefully, through the efforts of all involved, this trend will continue.”
Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "There has been a real concerted effort from a variety of agencies to tackle GHB in Oswestry, and it's really good news that the hard work is paying off. However, we are not complacent and it's important for people to know that support is still out there for anyone who needs it regarding drug use."
DCI Edwards acknowledged that Oswestry has been at the forefront of much publicity about GHB and has been described as one of the country’s hot spots for supply and usage.
“The whole community is very much aware of the situation following a blaze of publicity highlighting the problem. I’d like to thank everyone is Oswestry for their support to the police and other agencies – it’s this joint effort by people who care that is making a real difference.”
DCI Edwards also praised the local media for publicising efforts to bring about improvements. “Their campaigning has had a significant impact in making people aware of the risks involved in taking this drug. The Oswestry MP has also pursued the matter at the highest level with the Home Office and we are grateful for his support.
“However, our feedback shows there had been a marked improvement, so now is perhaps an appropriate time to move on. Oswestry may have had a particular problem with GHB but the town does not deserve to be constantly labelled in a negative way because of this.
“The police and all other agencies involved are delighted with the improvement and hopefully, this will be sustained in the months ahead. We will continue to work with our partners to maintain the positive momentum achieved with a number of initiatives both through enforcement and education.”
