53 replies to this topic

[Mr W]

I am fed up with nothing seemingly being done about the increased drug use by Teenagers in the village. The Silver Golf that drops off the drugs and the 14/15 year old louts that mooch around the skate park and tunnels not only at night but in the daylight openly using drugs.

We don't want this in our village and i also note that crime figures are up as well, could there be a link?

The local policing team need to do something about it and stop just giving lip service to the matter!

[catbazza]

Mr W, on 17 June 2011 - 10:52 AM, said:

I am fed up with nothing seemingly being done about the increased drug use by Teenagers in the village. The Silver Golf that drops off the drugs and the 14/15 year old louts that mooch around the skate park and tunnels not only at night but in the daylight openly using drugs.

We don't want this in our village and i also note that crime figures are up as well, could there be a link?

The local policing team need to do something about it and stop just giving lip service to the matter!

Have you thought of dropping into the weekly police contact point at the Queens Hall (details available on the village web site) & informing them of your worries & if possible giving them the car details.

[spyglass]

catbazza, on 17 June 2011 - 11:59 AM, said:

Have you thought of dropping into the weekly police contact point at the Queens Hall (details available on the village web site) & informing them of your worries & if possible giving them the car details.

But that would mean the police actually becoming involved in crime which would interfere with their statistics and prevent them hounding motorists!

[Matt]

Mr W, on 17 June 2011 - 10:52 AM, said:

I am fed up with nothing seemingly being done about the increased drug use by Teenagers in the village. The Silver Golf that drops off the drugs and the 14/15 year old louts that mooch around the skate park and tunnels not only at night but in the daylight openly using drugs.

We don't want this in our village and i also note that crime figures are up as well, could there be a link?

The local policing team need to do something about it and stop just giving lip service to the matter!

You may have information they don't have. The best thing to do is as catbazza suggests, but if you're not confortable doing that feel free to drop me an email and I will pass the information on.

Matt

[Mr W]

Matt, on 20 June 2011 - 10:00 AM, said:

You may have information they don't have. The best thing to do is as catbazza suggests, but if you're not confortable doing that feel free to drop me an email and I will pass the information on.

Matt

Hi Matt I have heard from many other residents that the police are aware of the group involved of selling as well as the group that walk around the village that are the users (Not difficult to recognise as they normally walk around with their hoods up even on hot days, no doubt keeping their brain cells warm.

The local Police really like to attend meetings talk the talk but when it comes to action they are not interested. If they are, less talk more action is required make an example of these useless drug users and get them charged. It could be your kids that the group attract to join them and try some drugs.

The group in question walk around with gormless expressions on their face, hoods up, trousers nearly hanging around their ankles with dark hair apart from one ginger hair lanky member.

The police are aware of this group as some have been extorting money from pupils at their school, one was on a charge of encouraging a minor (8 year old) to engage in sexual activity (dropped only because the poor victim was too young/scared to give evidence and threatening people when they are confronted by their drug use.

Get it sorted your crime figures are very interesting but let’s face it we want you sorting crime out not providing us with lovely graphs!

[blunt pencil]

I am shocked by this.


This trade is going on in the village. I think every decent person should be angered and want to know what is being done about it

[Sebastian-Smythe]

Obviously someone apart from Matt has to take a lead so try this for a start - http://www.westyorks...ision.asp?id=10
- You will find your local team and others. If you really want to rid your My link village of these individuals away you go!

Edited by Sebastian-Smythe, 23 June 2011 - 12:28 PM.

[ex-user]

I'm seeing hearsay. What evidence is their that there is an increasing problem? What sort of drugs are we talking about here? Cannabis, Coke, Heroin, crack? I've seen a couple of discarded bongs over the last ten years, but no needles or wraps.

Tip: Most kids are wearing radical trousers and hoodies, it's a fashion thing and mentioning the attire of the suspects is tarring all Burley youth with the same brush. In fact most Burley kids are an absolute credit to the village and more clued up than us oldies about drug use.

[Sebastian-Smythe]

greenhowleadman, on 23 June 2011 - 08:52 PM, said:

I'm seeing hearsay. What evidence is their that there is an increasing problem? What sort of drugs are we talking about here? Cannabis, Coke, Heroin, crack? I've seen a couple of discarded bongs over the last ten years, but no needles or wraps.

Tip: Most kids are wearing radical trousers and hoodies, it's a fashion thing and mentioning the attire of the suspects is tarring all Burley youth with the same brush. In fact most Burley kids are an absolute credit to the village and more clued up than us oldies about drug use.

Likewise this recycled teenager who sometimes wears one of those hoodie things.

However perceived or otherwise if there is a drugs problem then those with the power to deal with it should do. If only to prove to the rest of you there is or there is not. Don't forget this is the world wide web and anyone thinking of moving to Wharfedale might think otherwise.

[guesswho]

As a young adult who has grown up in Burley-in-Wharfedale over the last 14 years (when I moved here) I would like to report that drug taking in the village is actually at the lowest I have ever seen. The vast majority of the drug taking is mainly cannabis use, which I myself have used before. Cannabis doesn't make people go around causing violent disturbances nor does it make people steal to feed their habit, as it is not physically addictive.

I also resent the fact that people on this forum have described the people they believe to be 'suspects' by their fashion sense as these people are probably so past it they haven't noticed that in fact the majority of young people dress this way just like people used to have ridiculous perms!

As for the allegation of the young lad who enticed a young girl into sexual acts I have reason to believe this is true, but in every community there are individuals who let everyone down. Think back to last summer when there was a paedophile working in our village store, and had been for some time. Therefore it is beyond a joke to group all youth together due to the actions of one or two individuals. It is just the same as me saying that all old people are miserable because once on my paper round (in the torrential rain) an elderly person threw his newspaper I had just delivered straight at me due to the fact its corners were damp (true story!!).

I think it is important that we as a village do not end up like Ilkley, pretentious and narrow minded as that is a quick way to destroy a community. I think people should be worried about more serious crimes under the categories of violence and criminal damage. I hope this is approved for viewing as I strongly believe that everyone has the right to an opinion and no one else seems willing to defend the innocent.

[Matt]

guesswho, on 07 July 2011 - 03:22 PM, said:

Therefore it is beyond a joke to group all youth together due to the actions of one or two individuals.

I couldn't agree more with this. I do from time to time hear comments such as 'the problem is young people'. That's not the problem, the problem is behaviour. So, yes, it's not all young people and it's incumbent on those of use who are not as young as we would like not to lump people together in such a way.

I don't believe the drugs issue in the village is particularly bad, and yes we are mostly talking about cannabis as the visible end of drug use.

However, cannabis is not acceptable, it's an illegal drug and contrary to the perception that it's safe, I've seen friends in hospital and scarred for life as a result of it, and I've seen people change beyond recognition as a result of using cannabis over an extended period. So I make no apology for taking a very hard line on all illegal drug use. I wish the police would, too.

However, it's also the responsbility of the more responsible and understanding younger people in the village to point out to other young people that sitting in the youth shelter in the park marking territory by dropping litter and smoking cannabis isn't cool or clever, it's just being a prat. I think the offenders are sick of hearing it from me!

Beyond cannabis, harder drugs are pervasive in society today, but not so much in Wharfedale. The only way we keep it that way is be keeping an eye out for problems and reporting them, and helping anyone who needs it to seek help and advice - it is available.

Please, if anyone does have concerns raise them (as specifically as possible) with the police, your local councillor, or whoever you feel is appropriate. Please though don't sit on it because you think nothing will be done - that's the one way to make sure nothing happens!

Matt

[guesswho]

I agree with you there to be honest. I also think you talk alot of sense!

[MrsM]

Hang on. Teenagers always push the boundaries, it's what they do. I did it when I was younger and I'm sure a lot of you did too, though for me it was alcohol rather than cannabis!

Is sitting in the park smoking and dropping litter, really so bad? They could be stealing cars and setting fire to them, injecting heroin, selling their bodies for money..... I work with young people not to far away from here who do things like that on a regular basis.

I have been involved with the village scout group for several years I can honestly say that the young people in this village are a credit to us.

Perhaps half the problem is that they are bored. Maybe if more adults were prepared to give up their free time and enagage them in actvities they enjoy then there would not do so much hanging around......

[lufc123]

Hello I am a youth of the village and you say there is a drug problem? I wouldn't really call it a problem as does it actually cause any problems to anyone in the slightest apart from the users? I just can't understand how you can say a group of lads sitting around smoking a joint is a problem? Fair enough if it was heroin needles as this could cause problems through little children pickiing them up etc. but a joint is near enough just a cigeratte. I hope this gets approved as I think it's only fair to let everyone have their views. I think you need to allocate a place where you don't mind us going, as then we can go there and not cause anyone any trouble. Perhaps put the shelter that is in the park in a more secret location?

[catbazza]

lufc123, on 08 July 2011 - 11:41 AM, said:

Hello I am a youth of the village and you say there is a drug problem? I wouldn't really call it a problem as does it actually cause any problems to anyone in the slightest apart from the users? I just can't understand how you can say a group of lads sitting around smoking a joint is a problem? Fair enough if it was heroin needles as this could cause problems through little children pickiing them up etc. but a joint is near enough just a cigeratte. I hope this gets approved as I think it's only fair to let everyone have their views. I think you need to allocate a place where you don't mind us going, as then we can go there and not cause anyone any trouble. Perhaps put the shelter that is in the park in a more secret location?

Welcome to the forums.


"Perhaps put the shelter that is in the park in a more secret location?"

May I ask you just one simple question, ..............why?.

[blunt pencil]

"I don't believe the drugs issue in the village is particularly bad" and "I wouldn't really call it a problem as does it actually cause any problems to anyone in the slightest apart from the users".

What wonderful quotes.

So, if its not particularly bad, are we saying its ok ?

And if younger children see other kids using drugs, then thats ok to influence them.

I thought there were laws on this

[Sebastian-Smythe]

blunt pencil, on 08 July 2011 - 08:15 PM, said:

"I don't believe the drugs issue in the village is particularly bad" and "I wouldn't really call it a problem as does it actually cause any problems to anyone in the slightest apart from the users".

What wonderful quotes.

So, if its not particularly bad, are we saying its ok ?

And if younger children see other kids using drugs, then thats ok to influence them.

I thought there were laws on this

It's good to see both sides of the community having a reasoned discussion however there is one point which troubles me, your quote of - But a joint is near enough a cigarette.


http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/371/ille/library/Wheelock-e.pdf

Would you do something for me and read the above then put your thoughts on what you have found on this Forum. It could help a lot of people to understand something which some try to brush aside.

You might also ask yourself why British Governments have repeatedly played down international research into the subject and why another government suddenly stopped funding research around eight years ago.

[appropriatebridge]

Mr W, on 17 June 2011 - 10:52 AM, said:

I am fed up with nothing seemingly being done about the increased drug use by Teenagers in the village. The Silver Golf that drops off the drugs and the 14/15 year old louts that mooch around the skate park and tunnels not only at night but in the daylight openly using drugs.

We don't want this in our village and i also note that crime figures are up as well, could there be a link?

The local policing team need to do something about it and stop just giving lip service to the matter!

Having read all the posts on this to date, I wonder if one way of addressing the issue would be if next time Mr W sees the silver Golf, if he were to post a description of the occupants and the registration number on the Forum, we could all keep a look out for it and report it to the police. If they get enough reports, they might act.

Apart from the fact that any drug activity is illegal, there now seems to be enough evidence that canabis can cause psycotic problems so we should all do whatever we can to discourage its use (I know some say alcohol is worse but other than those who overdo it and become alcoholics or commit antisocial behavour, generally it seems reasonably harmless).

Drug takers are also a major source of crime to fund their habits so for the general good of us all, we should be vigilant.

[Super_man]

Drugs are not the problem! The problem is the law! who has the right to tell you what you can n cant do to your own body? if this ridiculus law againt cannabis was not in place you lot would not be moaning. i dont see any posts regarding violence and anti social behaviour related to 'adults' drinking. Oh yeah thats because alcohol is a good taxable drug like tobacco. how many of you drink and smoke? shouldnt there be a topic on you? alcohol and tobacco are two of the biggest killers in the world yet people like to moan about cannabis which is not responsible for a single death. Matt you claim some of your friedns fear for their lives due to cannabis how many of your friends smoke or are alcoholics?

Think about why these kids are smoking cannabis. There isnt much else to do in the village. We have poor quality football pitches, a tiny basketball court and possibly the worst skatepark i have ever seen. These poor kids are just bored. Look at whats causing this so called 'problem' and do something about it instead of just moaning. theyre not bad kids they just need something to do. i hope this gets approved as my last 2 posts were ignored. whatever happened to freedom of speech?

[Sebastian-Smythe]

I'm at a loss at your reasoning here Super_man.
How much research have you done on the matter to be
able to say cannabis is not responsible for a single death?

If you don't mind Matt I'll repeat a site URL

My link

Read this through end to end Super_man then tell us what you think about cannabis.

As to what there is or is not for Burley's youth, might it be an idea to suggest to them to form their own committee, to work alongside your Parish Council, to bring ideas to their notice about what is wanted. Likewise if there are members of Burley Parish Council reading this Forum to act on what I've typed. For too long there has been a lack of communication not only in Burley but where ever young folk try to put their ideas across. Before you try and say otherwise I have a deal of experience here and know all to well the blinkered attitude of certain folk who forget they were young once. That was part of the reason the skateboard park up river had to be built in a dark corner more or less out of sight.

But I digress.

If you want something badly enough then you have to work at it and not expect it handed on a plate.