POLICE in Gloucestershire have launched a fresh plan to try to deal with the scourge of drug abuse.

The new Drug Plan 2000 and Beyond is meant to be a long-term look at the problem and the ways in which the police can work with other groups and organisations to reduce drug-related crime.

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Brian said: "How we deal with drug issues will have a major impact on the fabric of society into the 21st century. The police alone cannot tackle this problem, which is why the plan focuses on an integrated approach, which as part of our crime and disorder partnership has been under way for some time."

He added: "We want to concentrate on those communities where drugs cause most harm and ensure dealers and users are not only prosecuted, but also treated for drug dependency, thereby trying to address the root cause.

"Gloucestershire is still one of the safest places to live, but we are realistic and appreciate that drugs are a major threat, both to young people and to those who become victims through drug-related crime."

The plan has four objectives - to help young people resist the temptation of drugs through new education programmes; to protect people from drug-related crime by targeting those who take drugs and drive and closely monitoring drug crime; to help users come off drugs by working with other agencies and prison staff; and to reduce the supply of drugs by targeting regular offenders, reacting to public concerns and using specialist drugs teams to provide detailed information to local officers.

In the year to April 2000, police in the Cotswolds and Stroud division arrested 362 people for drugs offences and seized £53,000 of drugs.

Countywide, officers seized £4,588 of heroin, £22,300 of ecstasy, £67,000 of cocaine, £4,500 of crack cocaine, £88,000 of cannabis resin, £22,400 of herbal cannabis and £65,500 of cannabis plants.

Mr Brain added: "Drugs and drug crime is a problem in many communities and we have to tackle it together as a community."