Family tells inquest of Oswestry drug death doubts
Relatives of a man from Oswestry who died from an GHB drug overdose believe someone else may have been involved in his death, an inquest heard.
Relatives of a man from Oswestry who died from an GHB drug overdose believe someone else may have been involved in his death, an inquest heard.
People living in Oswestry have been urged to come forward with information about the supply of GHB in a bid to rid the town of the drug.
A member of the renowned Froncysyllte Male Voice Choir has admitted charges linked to the lethal party drug GHB in Oswestry.
A report outlining controversial drug rehabilitation plans which was due to be discussed at a key Shropshire Council meeting today has been withdrawn from the agenda, it has been revealed.
Drug users will not get free use of Shropshire Council gyms and swimming pools, the authority's leader made clear today.
Drug users could get free use of council gyms and swimming pools across Shropshire as part of their rehabilitation, under plans revealed today.
Police have dismissed fears the lethal party drug GHB is on the increase again in Oswestry. The assurance was given by Inspector Jim Stafford.
A massive drugs raid this year has helped to curb an increase in the availability and use of the potentially fatal drug GHB in Oswestry, a police officer said today. A massive drugs raid this year has helped to curb an increase in the availability and use of the potentially fatal drug GHB in Oswestry, a police officer said today. Inspector Jim Stafford has revealed the presence of the Class C drug GHB in the town has been 'sustained' after police carried out the operation in April this year. The town was once earmarked as a hot spot for the drug, which is a clear liquid that can be hard to detect in drinks because it looks like water and has no smell. Mr Stafford said: "Following on from a massive drugs raid in April the reduction in availability and use in the town has sustained but if trends start again we will do it again. [24link]
Publicans believe a campaign to rid the streets of the potentially fatal drug GHB has helped lower the number of users in Oswestry. Publicans believe a campaign to rid the streets of the potentially fatal drug GHB has helped lower the number of users in Oswestry. The town has been marked as a hotspot for the class C drug and so members of the Oswestry Pubwatch scheme were issued with tester kits to help combat the problem. GHB is a clear liquid which can be hard to detect in drinks because it looks like water and has no smell. The kits use a litmus paper to identify the liquid. About 20 to 25 kits were handed out to landlords to be used if they were suspicious someone may be carrying or using the illegal liquid. If the test is positive the drug is taken off them and handed to the police. Today Pubwatch chairman Frank Francis revealed they have not had to use any of the kits on people in the town to date. Mr Francis said the kits were a message to the public that the drug would not be tolerated in Oswestry.
Pubs and clubs in Oswestry have been handed GHB tester kits for their premises in a bid to combat the use of the potentially lethal illegal drug. Pubs and clubs in Oswestry have been handed GHB tester kits for their premises in a bid to combat the use of the potentially lethal illegal drug. The town is a hotspot for the class C drug and Oswestry Pubwatch members, who met yesterday, have been given the kits to help tackle the problem. GHB is a clear liquid that can be hard to detect in drinks because it looks like water and has no smell. The kits use a litmus paper which can identify the liquid drug.
Police in Oswestry are winning the battle against the illegal drug GHB, through a concerted effort including other authorities, the detective leading the fight said today. Police in Oswestry are winning the battle against the illegal drug GHB, through a concerted effort including other authorities, the detective leading the fight said today. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, the head of CID in Shropshire, said there had been a "marked improvement" in reducing the levels of use of the class C drug. But he warned there would be no let up by the police and its partner agencies in targeting those manufacturing and supplying GHB and its component drug GBL.
Oswestry's police inspector has allayed fears over the town's GHB problem and said it is a "very low crime area". Oswestry's police inspector has allayed fears over the town's GHB problem and said it is a "very low crime area". Inspector Jim Stafford said he in no way wanted to diminish the personal tragedies that the drug had led to. But he said the problem had to be put into perspective. He was speaking at a meeting of Oswestry's Local Joint Committee in the Cabin Lane Whole Life Centre, after Councillor Bill Benyon had said that media reports about GHB could hurt the town. He said: "We are not, as we are painted, the drug capital of the world. I don't want people staying away from Oswestry because they think we have a drug problem."
An expert drug officer from the Dutch police has begun work with Oswestry officers to help tackle the town's GHB problem. An expert drug officer from the Dutch police has begun work with Oswestry officers to help tackle the town's GHB problem. The partnership was launched as the detective leading the fight against the drug in Shropshire revealed there was a "dearth" in its supply in the town amid hopes a clampdown by police on the supply of the drug was having an effect. Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards said it seemed the message was getting out that police in Shropshire were taking a zero tolerance policy. And he added that police would continue using various tactics, including raids on homes, to cut the supply of the potentially lethal drug.
Shropshire's council leader today urged people to continue to support Oswestry amid fears they may stop visiting the town because of its reputation for having one of the highest uses of the drug GHB in the country.Shropshire's council leader today urged people to continue to support Oswestry amid fears they may stop visiting the town because of its reputation for having one of the highest uses of the drug GHB in the country. Councillor Keith Barrow, Shropshire Council leader, stressed today the town was still a safe and enjoyable place to enjoy a night out. And other councillors representing the town have joined forces to support the work being done to tackle GHB use. Shropshire Council, West Mercia Police and other support services are working with the community to raise awareness and reduce the risk posed by the spread of the drug. Councillor Barrow, who represents Oswestry South, said: "It's important people stay aware and know the dangers of GHB, but, despite the current concerns about this particular drug, it is only a small minority of people using the drug, and I want to reassure people that we are working hard to minimise its impact." [24link]
People in Shropshire still need to be vigilant about crimes occurring in their area, even though statistics show the county is getting safer.