LOCAL LICENSEES are taking the hard line on drugs by joining a national campaign to rid their pubs of a culture where narcotics have replaced the traditional pint.

The pub trade newspaper, The Licensee and Morning Advertiser, has been promoting it's 'Don't Push It' campaign for the last six weeks and Blackburn pubs have been keen to embrace the idea.

With posters and stickers displaying the anti-drugs message, hosts say the campaign has struck a real chord with drinkers old and new.

Alan Murdock, landlord of popular Irish theme pub Shamus O'Donnells on Bolton Road, Blackburn, said: "We cater for all ages and are determined to keep drugs off the premises as are the majority of our customers. When I talk to some of our older drinkers, they're shocked that drugs come into the pubs. I won't tolerate any drugs. I've banned some people already."

Another Blackburn licensee who wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, believes he's turned the screw on the dealers and users.

"We used to get them coming in to our toilets and using them as a dealing point, but now we've got cameras and tamper proof toilets which puts them off.

"My staff are also trained to spot potential drug users and kick them out and I feel we've got them on the run."

Blackburn police work closely with licensees trying to eradicate drugs, a battle they are confident of winning:

"We've been pushing for such a campaign for a long time," said Sergeant Geoff Rowbottom. "We're letting drug users know we're on their case and expect to apprehend plenty through the crackdown."

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