DRUGS FEAR

SEVERAL teenagers were hospitalised after they were sold 'bad drugs' at a party in Craigavon, it's been claimed.

It comes as a high profile campaign is launched to combat drug crime in Craigavon.

According to the father of one of the teenagers who was 'poisoned' by the drugs he bought at a party in Garrymore, his son missed a week at work because of his reaction.

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The Craigavon man said: "Two or three of them ended up in hospital after the party. They were taking mephedrone or NRG - some sort of new drug. The ones who took it had a bad reaction.”

Energy or NRG-1 is the latest legal high set to flood the UK. Concern has been expressed by experts about its potentially lethal effects.

The concerned father continued: "My son was shaking and hallucinating so I brought him to hospital. He stayed overnight last Monday

"He didn't go to work all week. It must affect their brain in some way - he just wasn't right. His friend was worse - he was on a drip."

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The man said the flat at Garrymore has been closed down since the party at which the 'bad' drugs were sold.

He added: "For 50 per cent of boys and girls in Craigavon the weekend is about getting drunk out of their minds. As if the drink isn't bad enough, they're taking drugs on top of that."

The man told how his son had been hooked on mephedrone, but had sought help for his addiction.

"He was doing well, but he must have lapsed," said the boy's father.

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He continued: "Police were out on Friday night giving out leaflets about drug dealing. It's good to see something is being done. I just want to highlight the drug problem. It's not just Craigavon - it's all over."

This week a campaign aimed at combating crime in neighbourhoods has been relaunched in Craigavon – specifically targeting drug use and drug related crime.

Craigavon Community Safety Partnership (CCSP) supported by Craigavon Borough Council has teamed up with the charity Crimestoppers to encourage people to report criminal activity, particularly drug related, in an anonymous and safe way to Crimestoppers.

The high profile campaign will see postcards delivered door-to-door in hotspot areas of the borough where drugs and drug dealing is perceived to be higher. These postcards along with posters will also be displayed in community and leisure centres and town halls.

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Councillor Michael McGoldrick, Chair of CCSP explained: “With the support of the local community and Crimestoppers we can help tackle crime and anti social behaviour in the local area. If you have information about anyone involved in criminal activity, especially drugs and drug dealing and want to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can help. They will pass information to the relevant authority and no one can trace it back. Crimestoppers only wants to know what you know and not who you are.”

For more information, or a copy of the literature, please contact Lynette Burke, Crime Reductions Initiatives Co-ordinator on 3831 2529.

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