South Shields Town Centre Pubwatch Drug Awareness Info
It is the duty of all licensees and pub operators to create and maintain a safe, secure and relaxing environment for their customers. SSTC Pubwatch believes that running a well ordered outlet requires continual vigilance, especially where illegal drugs are concerned. This information details the tell-tale signs of possible drugs misuse on the premises and offers advice on how to keep to your pub a drug free zone.
Why South Shields Town Centre Pubwatch members will not tolerate drug use:
* It is illegal * Damage to trade and reputation * Potential for other criminal activity: extortion, violence etc. * Risk loss of licence and livelihood. Under the Law Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, heavy penalties can be imposed on those who permit drug-related activities on their premises.
South Shields Town Centre Pubwatch Standards
High standards of cleanliness and service are a powerful deterrent to the drugs trade. They show that we care about our establishments and will not tolerate illegal activity. Low standards send the message that dealers and users are looking for. Our Licensees and Bar staff are our front line and need to maintain high standards of cleanliness, service and vigilance at all times to deter drug dealers and users.
Possible signs of drug use:
* Torn-up beer mats/cigarettes packets/bits of cardboard left on table or in ashtrays * Foam stuffing taken from seats/bits of foam left around * Roaches (home-made filter tips from cannabis cigarettes) * Small packets made of folded paper, card or foil * Empty sweet wrappings left in toilets * Payment with tightly rolled banknotes or notes that have been tightly rolled * Traces of blood or powder on banknotes * Drinking straws left in toilets * Traces of powder on toilet seats or other surfaces in toilets - or obviously wiped-clean surfaces * Syringes (do not touch with bare hands) * Spoons left in toilets * Pieces of burned tinfoil
Physical Signs of drug use:
* Very dilated pupils * Excessive sniffing, dripping nose, watering or red eyes * Sudden severe cold symptoms following visit to toilet/garden/car Park * White mark/traces of powder around nostrils
Behaviour to look for:
* Excessive giggling, laughing at nothing, non-stop talking * Unnaturally dopey, vacant staring, sleepy euphoria * Non-stop movement, jiggling about, dancing * Gagging or retching actions * Excessive consumption of soft drinks or water * Sudden, inexplicable tearfulness or fright * Any marked alteration in behaviour following visit to toilet/garden/car Park
Signs of dealing:
* A person "holding court", with a succession of "visitors" who only stay with him/her a short time * A person making frequent visits to the toilet, garden or car park followed by a different person/people each time * People exchanging small packages or cash, often in secretive manner, but may be quite open (to avoid suspicion) * Furtive, conspiratorial behaviour - huddling in corners and whispering * Conversation includes frequent references to drugs (slang names) * Remember: dealers are not identifiable by appearance, they often look highly respectable
Monitoring:
* Frequent glass-collecting, emptying ashtrays or wiping tables provides "cover" for surveillance * Combine careful monitoring with sociability, get to know customers, make sure that they know you * Make regular checks on toilets (ladies as well), car park and garden * Train staff in unobtrusive monitoring techniques and the signs to look out for * Ensure that staff informs you immediately, but discreetly, if they see or hear anything suspicious * Remember: frequent tidying, high-profile presence and alertness act as very powerful deterrents to users and dealers
Basic Drug Facts
* Ecstasy Tablets, capsules, E or powder Effects: Dehydration, Big demand for non-alcoholic drinks, Excessive energy and euphoria
* Amphetamines Tablets, capsules, Powder, whiz, Billy, Speed and uppers Effects: Confusion, Enlarged pupils, Rapid speech and the effects are increased by alcohol
* LSD Paper squares you Swallow, Acid tabs that come in various designs, gelatine, microdots Effects: Incoherence, Hallucinations, Erratic and unpredictable behaviour
* Cannabis or Resin Smoked in hand-rolled cigarettes known as Dope, hash, pot, weed lump ganga, bush, joints, reefers, doobies skunk, draw, grass, and spliffs Effects: Lack of co-ordination, relaxed inhibitions, dilated pupils, bloodshot eyes, Talkativeness and euphoria
* Cocaine White powder Sniffed (snorting) Coke, snow, charlie and Pablo Effects: Euphoria, but sometimes causes anxiety, Runny nose, sniffing and traces of powder around nostrils
* Crack Yellowish rock Smoked in home-made pipes or heated on Stone and foil Effects: Instant elation-wears off quickly and Violent behaviour
* Heroin Off-white or brownish powder (H, smack, horse, scag, gear, junk. Injected by Syringes, Can also be heated on foil and inhaled through a straw, known as Chasing the Dragon Effects: Sleepy euphoria, runny nose and eyes, Slow breathing, Needle marks on body
