Drugs bins to letusers dump gear

Drugs like these may be dumped in bins if the scheme goes ahead.

Money seized from dealers will fund the bins, which are supposed to give us a better idea of what drugs are in circulation.

Council’s Policy and Resources Committee will decide tomorrow (Thursday) whether or not to back the bins, which will cost ratepayers nothing.

A report before the Committee explains: “The Foyle Drug Safe Initiative (FDSI) will be delivered by the Policing Community and Safety Partnership (PCSP) with the purchase of four drug safe bins to be situated at locations in Cityside, Waterside and Rural.”

A similar ‘drugs drop’ scheme in East Belfast has already proven successful.

The Council report goes on to state: “The drug safes will allow both legal and illegal drugs to be deposited in the bins anonymously and if successful will provide both PSNI and the community with a better understanding of the type and quality of drugs that are available in the Council area.”

The local PCSP has secured £7,500 from the Department of Justice (DoJ) Assets Recovery Community Safety (ARCS) project to deliver the scheme.

It also wants to launch a First Offenders Alcohol Education Programme - once again funded by seized criminal assets - which, will allow first time offenders escape civil cautions from the City Solicitor for breaches of the street-drinking bye-laws, provided they complete anti-booze workshops.