There has not been any change recently in crime patterns in CALDICOT. The main problem is drug-related crime. Thefts from unattended vehicles have declined, but shed, garage and business premises burglaries have increased. These offences are now moving away from the centre of CALDICOT owing to installation of television surveillance and by extra security measures by burglarly victims.

In CAERWENT there have been break-ins and thefts from public houses. There have also been instances of criminal damage in Canon Lane to gardens, probably by intoxicated persons walking through the estate. If I catch anyone committing this type of offence they will be arrested and detained. Most law-abiding citizens take a lot of time and money keeping their gardens and property in order. I appeal to the tiny minority who are committing damage to stop.

SPECIAL DRUG ABUSE FEATURE - HEROIN

I will now outline the use of HEROIN and explain the effects it has on people's lives. Heroin ( known to users as smack, swag, H, junks or brown) is produced from morphine which comes from opium which in turn comes from the Asian poppy. These drugs are natural opiates. Synthetic opiates also exist - dipiporone, pethedene and methodone. All of these drugs are painkillers and are regarded as depressants or "Downers". Heroin is twice as powerful as morphine. When pure, it's a white powder but 'Street Grade' heroin tends to be brown owing to it being mixed with other substances - flour, talcum powder and brick dust are regularly used!

This means that the heroin that a user buys is usually weak. Heroin can be snorted up the nose, injected in a solution or heated on tinfoil and smoked ('chasing the dragon'). Heroin reduces pain and, in the short term, stops users worrying - it makes them feel safe, warm and contented. However, after a short time users become psychologically and physically dependent on the drug and feel unable to cope unless they are under its influence.

The regular use of it also reduces its effectiveness so, after about a year, people smoking it tend to move on to injecting it. Each 'fix' will cost between £10 and £30 at current street prices. People usually require one to three fixes a day which is beyond the income of most addicts. This then leads to crime. They usually steal off their relatives and friends and then move on to other victims.
A typical unemployed or unemployable addict will get up late, travel to his dealer, which could be local or Bristol or Cardiff, and purchase his drugs. He will then use them and at night steal and sell items for his following day's addiction.
They only tend to buy when they need (so that if caught they cannot be charged with trafficking) and usually hide any surplus drugs (their "stash") or stolen goods away from their dwelling to avoid any connection with them.

Serious addicts will steal anything that they can sell. Serious female addicts will have even sex with their dealers to obtain drugs. Some addicts who undergo treatment programmes sell their 'methodone', which is used as a substitute for heroin, which enables them to buy more heroin. Methodone is issued by chemists on prescription. It is usually a green, syrupy liquid. One dose usually stabilises an addict for 24 hours. However, methodone can be dangerous if an overdose is taken and some addicts say it's harder to give up.
It is possible for an addict to cure himself but this is very difficult and the addict must be determined to do so.

Some addicts enjoy the 'drug culture' and want to live within this culture - however, many of these will deny this is the case and will appeal to other people's sympathies to obtain money etc. to finance their lifestyle and addiction. They often blame society for their situation.

These facts are based on my personal experiences as a police officer dealing with drug abusers.

I welcome all constructive comments, critical or otherwise, about my articles. If there is any aspect of general criminal law tnat you would like to know about, let me know and I will write an article on it.

A GENERAL REMINDER! If you see any suspicious activity don't worry about 'disturbing the police'.

Please just dial Caldicot Police Station on 01291-430999 or 999 straight away. Remember, your efforts can make a real difference.

Ashley Turner

PC 737, Community Police Constable