DRUG USERS
BLIGHT TOWN
THIS shocking image appears to show brazen drug taking in a public toilet in plain view of other people.
A man crouches in a corner of the public loos near Caernarfon bus station, while in the nearby cubicle his equipment – including syringes and spoons – are lying on top of the toilet for everyone to see.
Horrified members of the public snapped the photographs. Police say they are now targeting the area to try to catch addicts “in the act”.
The photos emerged at the same time that North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones called for socalled ‘fix rooms’ - where drug addicts can go to safely inject - to be brought in in Wrexham.
But these pictures from Caernarfon show that problems are not limited to north east Wales.
Gwynedd council leader Cllr Dyfed Edwards said anything that could tackle the scourge needed looking at.
He said: “I think first and foremost we recognise that there is a serious drugs issue. I think it’s clear that most people are aware there’s a drugs issue and it’s problematic for a percentage of our population. We have to recognise that.
“And the second thing is we are not improving the situation by repeating the current policies, that doesn’t seem to be working.
“So in that sense the idea of introducing something new, to see if it can make a difference, get people to safe locations with supervision and assistance, that’s something worth considering as part of a suite of responses that can help people get away from the criminality on the one hand, and on the path to a drug free future on the other.”
The man in charge of adult health and wellbeing in Gwynedd, Cllr W. Gareth Roberts, added: “If you allow these people into a controlled area you can possibly get them some sort of advice or treatment to get them off it.”
The drug problems in North West Wales are not limited to any one place.
Last year, footage shot by an outraged resident of the Maesgeirchen estate in Bangor showed a man openly injecting heroin in a public area of a housing block before casually tossing the used needles into a bush close to where children play.
North Wales Police urged the public to help them crack down on drug abuse in public places.
District Inspector Owain Llewellyn at Bangor Police Station said: “We are aware of recent incidents of ASB concerning the supply and use of drugs within the town and together with the local authority we are targeting specific areas through increased and focused patrols.
“However this is not a problem that can be tackled alone and I would ask the communities assistance in letting police know at the time of any suspicious behaviour or activity to give us an opportunity to catch individuals in the act.”
Gwynedd Council said it was important that anyone who found discarded needles reported them immediately.
A spokesman said: “We would urge any member of the public who comes across a discarded hypodermic needle not to touch it under any circumstances, and to inform Gwynedd Council immediately so we can arrange safe removal as soon as possible.”
● Anyone who discovers needles should contact the council’s removal team on 01766 771000. ● Anyone who needs support for drug and alcohol problems can contact the Substance Misuse Service on 01248 363463.