Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 12:17pm
Cocaine torch shine on Largs pubs
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Drug detectors ... New ‘cocaine torches’ are being used to investigate drug use in local bars. In support of the initiative, The Sheiling’s David Gibson (Licensee) is pictured with PC Naiall Graham, on left, and PC Neil MacKinnon with the cocaine torch.
Police are using 'cocaine torches' to check if illegal drugs are being used within Ayrshire's pubs and clubs.
Local licensees are being urged to work with Strathclyde Police to tackle a problem that can lead to increased violence, especially when combined with alcohol.
A recent survey of licensed premises in one Ayrshire town discovered seven out of eight (87 per cent) had toilet/washroom facilities where cocaine traces were found. Now officers with special ultra-violet torches will soon be visiting all of the area's bars and nightclubs.
Detective Inspector Scott McClelland said: "Most people avoid illegal drugs, but a minority still choose to break the law.
"All but one of the licensed premises we recently tested in Ayrshire had evidence of recent cocaine use in their toilets. Traces were found on a variety of flat surfaces, including the cisterns and seat lids.
"The use of cocaine and other illegal drugs doesn't just harm those using them. These substances can lead to other antisocial behaviour and incidents of violence, especially when alcohol's also taken.
"These torches will provide an indicator of premises where cocaine's being used, and allow officers to take appropriate action."
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P Preston
(Unregistered User)
Feb 3 10 14:26
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If someone is going to take coke, they're going to take coke. No licensee, regardless of how diligent, is going to stop this. WD40 on cisterns etc is simply going to get you a sore face eventually.
This isn't rocket science,ladies. People doing coke sniffle all the time, never shut up and often grind their teeth. They are not at all difficult to spot. Stop beating up on publicans because you can and start doing a very easy job effectively.
This town is awash with coke and it often isn't the hoi polloi miscreants of this town that are guilty of taking it. The bulk of coke abuse in this town is by 28-50 year olds (Male AND Female) in smart attire and solid employment.
Stop perpetrating these myths and start making a difference. Get real.
The two biggest pubs in the town for coke abuse are the very two pubs you'd preclude from searching according to your criteria - violence and antisocial behaviour etc. You don't need to be a genius to see what I'm implying here.
If you're going to use these torches, use them on people not sanitary ware.
PC Plum
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Feb 4 10 09:37
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First of all I would like to point out that despite working in bars for as long as I can remember; I can’t ever recollect anyone being violent after taking a line of coke!
My second point is whilst it is a criminal offence to be in possession of coke it is NOT a criminal offence to be out your totty on the stuff and the same goes for many drugs if truth be known, unless you were in charge of a minor or a vehicle etc.
So what is the point of the torch? I see you have had a line sir! Now what? It is illegal do be drunk and incapable in a bar and as such the licensee should evict you but I am uncertain what area of the law that would allow the licensee to evict you if you had taken a toot.
DogTheLargsBountyHunter
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Feb 4 10 17:05
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I read somewhere recently that there was a test on these torches and they dont work effectively anyway, so its a pointless waste of time and scaremongering IMO.
As D Preston said, if they are gonna take it then they are gonna take it, no torch or WD40 is gonna stop them. At T In the Park last year i seen numerous folk just taking it off the corner of a bank card from a little pouch, its really as easy as that.
What exactly is the point in this???
A couple of bobbies walk into a local bar, shine the torch on the cistern and find traces of drugs. Okay good, they have found something, now what?? go undercover till you find the folk doing it, then slap them on the wrists or even worse, court appearance for a couple of hours that will lead to the sheriff slapping on the wrists or a small fine. That sounds like a real good way to waste police time. They should spend more time trying to keep them out the town completely, and not trying to spend money on crappy torches and trying to find the local recreational user.
BTW, im totally against drugs, but it annoys me the way the authorities go about things sometimes.
DogTheLargsBountyHunter
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Feb 4 10 17:07
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oh another thing, heres a little about the torches:
http://tiny.cc/CNgfP
Gemma Clark
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Mar 6 10 14:28
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As a barmaid I have had first hand experience dealing with people off their faces on coke and I can tell you its a pain in the ****. If these people feel the need to do this then they should do it in the privacy of their own homes where they wont bother myself or my law abiding, pleasant regular customers. They tend to drive these decent people away and Im sick and tired of it.What I want to know is how can I prevent people from snorting in our toilets (which i personally find disgusting), I know about WD-40 and am quite prepared to do this, I dont really care if it causes nosebleeds, in fact itll serve them right. But does anyone know of any other methods of prevention?
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