More than £6m drugs removed from streets
People living in Lanarkshire are being urged to seek the right medical advice this winter to avoid unnecessary visits to accident and emergency (A&E) units.
NHS Lanarkshire’s winter campaign is helping signpost people to get the best advice at the right time for any illness or ailment, and only go to A&E in a real emergency.
Last winter almost 34,000 people visited A&E in Lanarkshire, many of whom had only minor complaints.
Dr John Keaney, NHS Lanarkshire’s divisional medical director for acute services and A&E consultant, said: “With the holiday season fast approaching, NHS services come under increasing pressure as people can experience a range of winter viruses, accidents or require ongoing health support.
“Lanarkshire’s A&E services are already among the busiest in Scotland, with people typically waiting up to four hours or longer during peak times, depending on the urgency of their condition.”
To find out more information please visit www.nhslanarkshire.scot. nhs.uk/experts
KIRSTEN MCSTAY
More than £6million worth of controlled drugs have been removed from the streets of Lanarkshire in the last six months.
Since the beginning of July, a dedicated drugs team has executed 505 search warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
The team was set up to develop intelligence and embark on proactive operational activity under Operation Forward2. Op Forward2 has recovered the following: • herbal cannabis - 276 kilos • cannabis resin – 22.2 kilos • cannabis plants – 4330 • cocaine – 6.29 kilos • diamorphine – 1.3 kilos • amphetamine – 6.73 kilos • etizolam/diazepam – 327,440 tablets Lanarkshire’s Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Alan Waddell said: “The officers involved in Operation Forward2 have done exactly what they set out to do – remove controlled drugs from the streets of Lanarkshire.
“To date, they have recovered £6,194,980 in drugs plus cash and assets to the value of almost £750,000 in POCA (Proceeds Of Crime Act) seizures.
“This is a significant result and one which will clearly impact the criminal fraternity who operate in this division.
“Lanarkshire has no place for drugs and we will not tolerate those intent on bringing them into this area.
“Drugs are harming our communities, destroying families and robbing people of their right to lead a life free from the damage and danger that drugs can bring.
“Policing alone cannot tackle the damage that drugs cause.
“We work in close collaboration with partners to assist and support those affected by drugs to prevent them from re-offending.
“Drugs and alcohol partnerships play a significant role in getting the right support to those people and I’m sure our partnership approach will continue to yield positive outcomes for our communities and for those willing to change.”
The team of 21 officers was established in Police Scotland’s Lanarkshire Division in response to the level of drugs activity taking place across the area.
Each officer involved in the operation was a divisional resource and several have returned to their base post allowing other uniformed officers the opportunity to join.