Pubdate: Sun, 18 Nov 2007
Source: Sunday Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: Telegraph Group Limited 2007
Contact:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/437
Author: Ben Leapman, Home Affairs Correspondent
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

POLICE TARGETS 'TAKE FOCUS OFF ADDICTS'

Enforcing the law on Class A drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine 
has become a low priority for police as they concentrate on trying to 
achieve government targets.

Known addicts are seldom searched when officers spot them in the 
street, even though it is a serious offence and many addicts are 
involved in petty crime to fund their habits, according to a study 
funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

It found target-setting and a move towards visible street patrols had 
lessened the focus on problem drug use.

Stewart Lister, of the University of Leeds, led the study, which will 
be unveiled this week at a conference of the Association of Chief 
Police Officers.

England has an estimated 330,000 heroin and crack addicts who are 
responsible for a large proportion of offences such as shoplifting, 
prostitution and begging. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake