Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Youths urged to speak up about drug dealers
IAN BUNTING
Monklands youngsters are being urged to speak up about drug dealers.
Fearless – the youth programme of independent c ha r i t y Crimestoppers – has launched a digital campaign to raise awareness among young people of the harm drug dealers can inflict on vulnerable members of their communities.
Using real-life case studies, the fearless.org campaign highlights how dealers prey on the vulnerable, such as those going through difficult times including bereavement and family problems.
The initiative also raises awareness of the ways drugdealing gangs can exploit young people through county lines and cuckooing.
The crime charity is encouraging youths to speak up to make their communities safer by giving information online, 100 per cent anonymously, via fearless.org
Lyndsay McDade, senior youth projects officer for Crimestoppers, said: “Last year (April 19-March 20), 58 per cent of all the information we received from young people in Scotland related to drugs being sold in local communities.
“More and more young people are gaining the confidence to speak up to our charity in order to help prevent drug-related deaths and harm caused by dealers.
“Our charity is making a difference every day, but we need young people to support us.
“We’re urging young people to continue to tell our charity who they know or suspect is responsible for manufacturing or dealing drugs.
“It only takes two minutes to complete our simple anonymous online form at fearless.org and we guarantee you’ll stay 100 per cent anonymous.
“We can’t trace IP addresses or any contact details that could identify you; nobody will ever know the information came from you.”
More information is available at www.fearless.org/en/campaigns/ scotland-drugs
If any young person feels like they are struggling with addiction, or being groomed or exploited, the charity strongly urges them to speak to a trusted adult or contact Childline on 0800 1111.