Drug convictions fall but still second highest since 2010

While 217 people were convicted in 2017, there were 156 last year.

In 2010, there were 118 convictions and between that year and 2016 the average figure was about 115.

There was an increase of 100 convictions in 2017 over 2016.

The new Bailiwick Drug and Alcohol Strategy report lists the goals of the strategy, one of which is to reduce the amount of drug and alcohol-related disorder, antisocial behaviour, violence and crime in the island.

The number of people convicted of offences where it was clear that alcohol was involved rose slightly in 2018 over the previous year, going from 490 to 533.

That represented 39% of the total number of custody records, which was 1,354.

But that was a reduction since 2010, when there were 2,049 custody records, 930 of which (45%) were alcohol-related.

Among young people, 40 of the 148 referrals to the Youth Justice Service in 2018 had misused drugs or alcohol, compared to 35 (out of a total of 136) in 2017.

Law Enforcement reported that there were 20 seizures of class A drugs last year, compared to 26 in 2017.

That represented a street value of £7,770, as compared to £113,930 the year before.

‘The BDAS continues to work closely with Law Enforcement in targeting drug syndicates, resulting in successful prosecutions, along with the conviction of principal dealers and the confiscation of financial assets,’ said the report.

‘The Bailiwick Drug & Alcohol Strategy Action Group met quarterly with an average of 11 agencies represented each meeting. In accordance with information sharing protocols, members were able to gain and share information and intelligence.’