Drugs crisis on the streets (From Penarth Times)

Drugs crisis on the streets

THE PENARTH Times has run a number of articles about drug raids in and around the town, and the police are vowing to tackle this menace head on.

But is there a growing problem with narcotics, or are there other issues dogging the area that are considered more worrying by the public?

Penarth reporter Charles Booth went on the streets in the town to find out what people really think.

Gill Ellis of Tanner the Tanning Shop has worked in the town for more than four years. The 59-year-old said: "I am not sure if there is a problem in Penarth. But I do see people staggering around the streets sometimes. It makes you think that they are up to no good."

Mother Adele Donlan of Baroness Place said: "I am worried about the streets at night, the children playing on their skateboards. I would not let my children go out at night. But if there is a problem in Penarth, I think there should be more policing in the area."

Alan Britton, 34, of St Luke's Avenue said: "If there is a problem I don't see it in Penarth.

"I have children and want them to be aware of drugs. I think they are taught about it at school today, which is good. But what could be done if there was a problem is the six million dollar question."

Jimmy Gill, 41, who works in Penarth Job Centre said: "I think there's a problem here. But I don't think it is particularly bad here. There is a problem in most towns today."

Mervyn Pullen of Baron Road is more worried about alcohol. The 60-year-old Business Development Manager said: "I don't know if Penarth has a drugs problem because I have not come into contact with the problem myself.

"I do think that there is a problem with alcohol. Young people seem to drink a lot and that has an affect on them. Alcohol is a drug - which is condoned by society today - and it is more available than drugs."