<TABLE> <TD align=left><b>NEWS RELEASE Issued : 16th October 1995 </TABLE> <TABLE border=1> <td><h2><font color="#ff0000"><center>CRIMESTOPPERS LAUNCHES NATIONAL<BR> CAMPAIGN TO TACKLE DRUGS </font></h2> <td align=center><IMG SRC="image/snap.jpg"><br><b>You are at risk from DRUGS<br>Say No And Phone<br>0800 555 111 </TABLE> <p> <TABLE border=1> <td>Crimestoppers, the charity concerned with solving crime, launched a year long national anti-drug initiative: "Say No And Phone" on 16th October at the Ministry of Sound, a London club venue. Helping to promote the Crimestoppers campaign were members of the cast of "The Bill", television news broadcasters Alastair Stewart and Maggie Philbin and many other opion formers representing organisations concerned with tackling the drugs problem. <td><IMG SRC="image/bill.jpg"><br>The Bill - Helping to Promote Crimestoppers </TABLE> <TABLE border=1> <td><IMG SRC="image/soccer.jpg"><br>Carlisle united Football Club players threw their weight behind the SNAP campaign. <td>The eyecatching SNAP logo and slogan were developed after extensive research among youngsters from the target audience, and the campaign has been devised to have direct relevance to their lifestyle, language and enviroment. <td><IMG SRC="image/police.jpg"><br>Lightning helps Bob Peckham launch the campaign in Birmingham. </TABLE> <TABLE border=1> <td><IMG SRC="image/lads.jpg"><br>Byzone - gives a hand <td>Targeted at 13-25 year olds, the campaign aims to increase significantly the number of quality calls to the Crimestoppers freephone number, 0800 555 111. In particular, information about drugs suppliers, manufacturers and distributors is being sought. It also aims to raise awareness of drugs with an emphasis on prevention to reduce the number of young people being involved in the problem of drug misuse. </TABLE> <TABLE border=1> <td>The decision to launch a national campaign was taken after the completion of two successful pilot projects in 1994. In East Anglia, with Anglia TV, calls relating to drugs increased over ten-fold with 97% more people arrested and charged with drugs offences. In Wales, a "Shop a Pusher" campaign backed by HTV Wales produced 406 positive calls, nearly nine times the norm, between October and December and led to 73 arrests. </table> <TABLE border=1> <td>In keeping with the Governments white Paper "Tackling Drugs Together", Crimestoppers is explaining to young people how they can pass on information they might learn about drug dealing. Night-clubs are likely places where drugs may be offered and the campaign aims to speak to youngsters on their own territory and in their own terms. The night-club scene will be encouraged to follow the example of the Ministry of Sound which takes a positive stance on reducing drugs related activity through a membership system, an over-21 door policy, rigorous searches and close liason with the police. </table> <TABLE border=1> <td>Say No And Phone is Crimestoppers' first national campaign, centrally coordinated with the 23 nationwide Regions of Crimestoppers participating. Each region, in close consultation with the community, Drugs Action Teams and the police, will tailor the campaign to their own neads and problems. Throughout tghe year-long campaign, ther will be special events and initiatives throughout the country to maintain the impetus and to report its successes.<p> The SNAP logo and slogan were developed after extensive research amongst young people from the targe t audience and the campaign has been devised to have a direct relevance to their lifestyle, language and enviroment. Some of the young people who particiipated in the research also attended the launch and were able to put their point of view direct to other guests. </table> <TABLE border=1> <td>Planning for the campaign by Crimestoppers trust has been greatly assisted by the support of the steering group which has brought together agencies with a direct interest in drugs-related crime. This group includes the Home Office, Department of Health, Department for Education and Employment, and the Health Education Authority. Also represented are the Chief of police Officers of England, Wales and Scotland, HM Customs and Excise, the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse, and representitives of the press and television media. </table> <p> <center> <h3>Thank you for stopping by.</h3> <h4>Guernsey Crime Stoppers.</h4><p> <hr><p> <h4>For further information on our services please mail, <A HREF="mailto:crimestop@post.guernsey.net"> <address>crimestop@post.guernsey.net</address></a></h4> </center> </BODY>