Cr Wales attacks State drug inaction

Councillor Debra Wales has attacked the State Government for its "lack of effort to combat the local drug problem in Woy Woy".

"The open use of and dealing in drugs on the Woy Woy waterfront is ridiculous and is increasing daily," she said.

"We need more police to stem the tide of drug activity.

"That is why we elect representatives to the New South Wales parliament," said Cr Wales, who was Liberal candidate for Peats at the last election. "Where is our Local Member?

"It would be nice if for once we had some positive action from our Local Member and some advice as to how she and the State Government are going to tackle the local drug problem.

"Both I and local business people have approached the police and I have met with Gosford detectives.

"However, there is little they can do because of the lack of specific resources for drug surveillance.

"They need more police and appropriate resources," said Cr Wales.

Her statement follows the installation of a "sharps bin" at Pelican Park.

"Nobody likes to find used needles in our playgrounds and nobody likes to find drug addicts shooting up in our public places and toilet blocks," said Cr Wales.

"I have never objected to the placement of needle sharp bins in appropriate areas, so that responsible people who find needles can dispose of them safely," she said.

"The fact is that the sharp bins are not there for the drug addicts.

"They are there for us unfortunately to clean up after them. They are not the ones who are disposing of the needles properly.

"It is the drug addicts who are leaving them around and creating the health hazard.

"That does not mean that we have to place the needle bins in full public view in the middle of a children’s playground under signs that prohibit every other activity other than the taking of illicit drugs.

"If we have to have the bins, place them to the side of Pelican Park against the toilet wall where we don’t have to advertise to all and sundry that we have an uncontrollable drug problem in Woy Woy."

Cr Wales said that the real issue was not the bins but the lack of State Government action to provide the required resources so that the New South Wales Police Service can attack the local drug epidemic.

"Locals have come to me for help to highlight the growing problem in the Woy Woy CBD."

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