Published Tuesday, 24 July, 2007 at 12:53 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
QUEENSLAND POLICE LEADING THE WAY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS
Minister for Police Judy Spence has congratulated the Queensland Police Service after two of its programs aimed at reducing drug abuse and crime finished first and second at a major awards ceremony.
Project STOP, a joint initiative between police and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, won the Law Enforcement Category at the Australian Drug Foundation Awards, while the Beat the Streets program, which helps divert young people away from drugs through music, finished second.
“These are two important projects that help reduce the manufacturing of drugs and also help those at risk of taking drugs and committing crimes,” Ms Spence said.
“Project STOP was launched in April 2006 in a bid to monitor the sales of medicines containing pseudoephedrine based drugs at chemists.
“More than 90 per cent of Queensland pharmacists are using the Project STOP database and already 13 drug labs have been discovered, 34 people have been arrested and 29 people issued with notices to appear as a result of the project.
“I urged my state and territory counterparts at the Australasian Police Ministers’ Council last November to adopt Project STOP and I am happy to report the project should be rolled out nationally by next month.”
Ms Spence said the Beat the Streets program has also been successful in reducing substance abuse and criminal offences among young disadvantaged youths in Brisbane.
“Youths engage in drumming activities and music tuition which has helped divert them away from a life of crime and drug addiction,” Ms Spence said.
“Beat the Streets has helped young people increase their trust in police officers and there has been a significant reduction in substance abuse and criminal activity by those youths involved in this project.
“They’ve also performed at various public functions including the 2006 St Patrick’s Day parade and the Kidz 2 Kidz concert at City Hall.
“Beat the Streets was recognised this year through the Commissioner’s Lantern Award for Problem Orientated and Partnership Policing and has been so successful I recently announced a similar project called Drumming Palms has been launched on Palm Island.
“The Queensland Police Service and its partners have greatly contributed to the lives of many people through these two award winning projects and I applaud police on their excellent work in the fight against drugs and crime.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287
Project STOP, a joint initiative between police and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, won the Law Enforcement Category at the Australian Drug Foundation Awards, while the Beat the Streets program, which helps divert young people away from drugs through music, finished second.
“These are two important projects that help reduce the manufacturing of drugs and also help those at risk of taking drugs and committing crimes,” Ms Spence said.
“Project STOP was launched in April 2006 in a bid to monitor the sales of medicines containing pseudoephedrine based drugs at chemists.
“More than 90 per cent of Queensland pharmacists are using the Project STOP database and already 13 drug labs have been discovered, 34 people have been arrested and 29 people issued with notices to appear as a result of the project.
“I urged my state and territory counterparts at the Australasian Police Ministers’ Council last November to adopt Project STOP and I am happy to report the project should be rolled out nationally by next month.”
Ms Spence said the Beat the Streets program has also been successful in reducing substance abuse and criminal offences among young disadvantaged youths in Brisbane.
“Youths engage in drumming activities and music tuition which has helped divert them away from a life of crime and drug addiction,” Ms Spence said.
“Beat the Streets has helped young people increase their trust in police officers and there has been a significant reduction in substance abuse and criminal activity by those youths involved in this project.
“They’ve also performed at various public functions including the 2006 St Patrick’s Day parade and the Kidz 2 Kidz concert at City Hall.
“Beat the Streets was recognised this year through the Commissioner’s Lantern Award for Problem Orientated and Partnership Policing and has been so successful I recently announced a similar project called Drumming Palms has been launched on Palm Island.
“The Queensland Police Service and its partners have greatly contributed to the lives of many people through these two award winning projects and I applaud police on their excellent work in the fight against drugs and crime.”
Media Contact: Troy Davies 3239 6218, 0439 673 287