CONCERNED readers have flooded police with information about dealers, since the start of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Drive Out Drugs Campaign.

Almost 150 people have telephoned the freephone number 0800 555111 to offer information aimed at clearing the callous criminals out of East Lancashire. And officers across the area have arrested 16 people as a result of the information received.

Scores of people have also rung our helpline for information about drugs and how to combat addiction.

They include parents concerned about drug abuse among young people and people seeking information on the help that is available. The Drive Out Drugs Campaign was launched in August in response to public concern about the scourge of substance abuse. Our campaign has been backed by Home Secretary and Blackburn MP Jack Straw, as well as Lancashire Chief Constable Pauline Clare and a host of local celebrities.

A police spokesman praised people's response to the Drive Out Drugs campaign. He said all information received was treated extremely seriously and in confidence.

"Most of those arrested are at the lower end of the scale. The smaller dealers and addicts who sell heroin, cannabis and amphetamine.

"But these are the people who have the biggest effect on communities. Unfortunately, it can take some time for us to corroborate reports but I can assure everyone that information is never ignored."

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