The continued roll out of Crime Stoppers NT’s Dob in a Dealer campaign is set to shine a light on local drug dealers and manufacturers in the Katherine region.
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Re-launched this week in Katherine, after a successful run in 2016, the campaign aims to provide an anonymous reporting channel.
At the Tuesday launch held at Katherine Town Council, Crime Stoppers NT deputy chair, Helen Summers said, “sitting back and watching drug dealers cause harm is not an option.”
“Katherine is not immune to the scourge of ice and other drugs and we need help to disrupt the manufacture and supply by encouraging people to report drug activity happening within the local community,” Ms Summers said.
“Drug dealers and manufacturers are often hiding in plain sight in regional communities, but the fear of reprisal often forces people to turn a blind eye and not speak out. Anonymously contacting Crime Stoppers offers a solution,” she said.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission estimates about 65.5 kilograms of methylamphetamine is consumed in the NT each year, as well as 19.5 kilograms of cocaine, 38.2 kilograms of MDMA and 1.1 kilograms of heroin.
The fifth report of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, reported the NT as having the highest average capital city consumption of methylamphetamine and MDMA nationally in April 2018.
The Dob in a Dealer campaign – which is an initiative funded by the Federal Government – is partnering with Katherine Police to disrupt the chain.
And according to Katherine Police Commander Michael Hebb, all claims will be investigated.
“We encourage people to report information. We will access all intelligence we receive,” Commander Hebb said.
“Through [Dob in a Dealer] we have been able to successfully prevent drug deals,” he said.
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According to Crime Stoppers NT, the 2016 Dob in a Dealer campaign in the in the NT resulted in a 287 per cent increase in the number of amphetamine-related Information Reports raised for police investigation, while a total of 255 drug-specific Information Reports were raised in the weeks following the launch.
“People know who is selling drugs to their family, friends and colleagues. They might think it’s up to someone else to do something, but let’s not kid ourselves about the damage that drug dealers continue to cause,” Ms Summers said.
“Sitting back and watching drug dealers destroy the lives of the people you care about should not be an option. We need people to make a difference by contacting Crime Stoppers and sharing what they know.
“Crime Stoppers is a safe, trusted link between the community and police. We don’t need to know who someone is, just what they know. Even if someone has little more than a suspicion that still might be the piece of the puzzle that can make all the difference – so our message is for people to make the call and choose to stay anonymous,” she said.
Katherine Police Acting Superintendent Craig Garland said the community can play a part in stemming the use of drugs.
“We need the whole community to take a stand and say ‘enough’,” he said.
“Dealers only care about the money they make and that usually results in the misery of others.
“Call Crime Stoppers… Dob in a Dealer and help us do the rest.”
Anyone with information about manufacturing or dealing of illegal drugs can anonymously call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppers.com.au
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