DIRECT ACTION!DIRECT ACTION!PEER-RESPONSE TO

DRUG LITTER IN WALSALL

Action Call Over Drug Den Haven

Walsall Observer Aug 17 2005 

A close-knit community is at the mercy of 'crackheads' who use derelict buildings as bases to hide their drug

taking, it has been claimed. Hitting the streets of Birchills this week, our news team

were told the former Liberal Democrat Club, in North Street, and the old Manor House pub, in nearby Mill

Street, had become haunts for addicts. Cllr Ann Young said the situation was appalling. She has

been inundated with complaints from residents concerning the two buildings, which are both decaying

fast.

"It's been like this for at least 15 months. I have heard about the drugs going on.

"These venues (the old Liberal Democrat club and former Manor House pub) are venues for anti-social

behaviour that are eyesores in the community. Local resident William Lowe described how he is

forced to regular remove drugs needles which are being chucked into his back garden.

He said: "It's terrible --there are crackheads going in and out of these buildings.

"There are needles everywhere. It's just not on. Kids play around here --what happens if one of them

fell onto one of these needles?"

Forced To Move Shop Due To Drugs Menace

Walsall Observer May 12 2005 The owner of a Walsall business claims she has been forced to move her shop because of drug addicts and

poor trade.Karina Smith, owner of Ultimate Tanning and Beauty

Studio, claims she regularly had to clear up used drug syringes and described how business at her ex-outlet was appalling due to the run-down nature of the area

outside the old Sainsbury's store.Karina said: "When I used to open up in the morning

there were used syringes by the door. Basically, I picked them up myself --I had to relocate."