Local dealers could be peddling new killer 'E'

A DEADLY new type of Ecstasy could be on sale in Guernsey. Customs warns that the drug is 20 times stronger than usual. One type, known as PMA or PMMA, can also cause a fatal rise in body temperature and has effects that take longer to become apparent. 'No PMA has been seized locally, but intelligence suggests that it might be available,' said Rob Prow, Customs deputy chief officer. 'The problem for drug users is that logos found on these illegally-made tablets are meaningless. The dealer could be selling a pill containing anything.' He added that the growing number of commercial Ecstasy seizures was evidence of a continuing demand. Mr Prow reiterated that preventing heroin from reaching the streets still forms a large part of the department's work. 'Detection of this class A drug remains a priority. 'The bottom line is that law-enforcement efforts continue to tackle the top end. During the year, Customs officers have seized commercial quantities of heroin. 'Intelligence indicates that the price of heroin is still very high locally and that it remains difficult for users to get hold of.' But officers had not become complacent, he said. 'Smugglers and dealers can rest assured we are working very hard to convict them and the law-enforcement authorities have proved very effective in this jurisdiction.' He praised the work done by Drug Concern, an independent and confidential service, and said that it was vital that people were encouraged to seek help. He also noted the emergence of the group, Dads and Mums Against Drugs, and endorsed the island drug strategy, which is due to be developed and strengthened further. 'All these initiatives tend to evidence a worrying local problem, as does the number of commercial seizures already recorded this year,' he said. Drug Concern reported an increase in contacts during the first half of this year. There were more than 300 from January to August, compared to 425 for the whole of 2002. Almost half related to heroin. The totals reflect the number of times people made contact and not the number of individuals concerned. They do not include telephone calls. Drug Concern manager Tracey Rear said that the figures did not necessarily mean more people were using drugs. 'It could mean the number of people using drugs has not increased, but more are coming forward,' she said. 'Alternatively the number could be increasing and we are hitting the real problem. We know we don't have access to everyone.' People use Drug Concern for advice, support, counselling and assessment. Most clients - although not an overriding percentage - were between the ages of 21 and 31. Most contacts related to opiates, 143 specifically to heroin. Mr Prow said that Customs was determined to minimise the amounts of class A and B drugs that reached the streets. 'We have very professional and committed staff working with police officers and will continue to put traffickers before the courts and seize drugs smuggled in commercial quantities. 'The Royal Court has a well-publicised and tough sentencing policy and through the island drug strategy, those convictions are now published in the home towns of those UK residents sentenced.' He said that the current drug situation and its related problems were less apparent in Guernsey than in the major towns and cities of the UK and Continental Europe. People are urged to contact Customs in confidence if they have any information on drug trafficking, freephone 0800 318318.