Sheriff ‘struggles to understand’ lack of funding for Dogs Against Drugs
Departing Ian Cruickshank says politicians’ speeches seem to do little for campaign
LERWICK’S departing Sheriff Ian Cruickshank has said he struggles to understand why “invaluable” charity Dogs Against Drugs cannot secure proper funding.
He paid tribute to the small team’s efforts to halt drugs before they reach their targets.
But despite politicians making “wonderful, supportive speeches” for them “not a lot seems to happen”, according to Sheriff Cruickshank.
He said he did not think people in Shetland truly appreciated “just how unique a resource” the charity is.
“To my knowledge there is nothing similar on the mainland, nothing at all,” he added.
Sheriff Cruickshank was speaking to Shetland News on his final day in the role at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Friday, when he discussed drugs coming into the isles and the use of Dogs Against Drugs to detect them.
Sheriff Cruickshank hopes he has ‘stamped his mark’ on Lerwick court as he departs
The sheriff has made a point of responding strongly to people in the Lerwick court who have been found guilty of bringing drugs to Shetland.
He said he knew from his experience of dealing with these cases – both here and on the mainland – that the drug gang operations behind them can be “massive”.
“It’s a constant factor and something that’s got to be battled against,” Sheriff Cruickshank said.
“These operations are linked with using a lot of vulnerable people and they get sucked into these schemes. It ruins their lives as well as everyone else’s.
“From my perspective, all I can do is try to send out a message to dissuade individuals from becoming involved, and simply say as and when you are caught there will be consequences.
“With the uniqueness of Shetland, the importation of drugs and how clever folk can be in their methods, you just have to try and say ‘if you are caught there will be consequences’.”
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Dogs Against Drugs is “invaluable” for detecting and stopping drugs from reaching their intended targets, the outgoing sheriff said.
While he does not think people in Shetland fully appreciate just how unique it is, he said there was “no doubt the Shetland community has been very supportive of it”.
“I recognise it’s run as a charity but I still struggle to understand why it’s so difficult for resources to be secured,” Sheriff Cruickshank said.
“There’s been campaigns, but I don’t think that’s really led to much.
“As far as I can see, politicians can make wonderful, supportive speeches but not a lot seems to happen.”
In a recent case, Sheriff Cruickshank ordered three young men caught dealing drugs to pay almost £4,000 to Dogs Against Drugs as a means of compensation for their crimes.
He said if people were to show remorse and a willingness to pay something back, “why shouldn’t you put your hand in the pocket and try support Dogs Against Drugs?”
“In a small way, by making compensation payments where I can, it’s just a small positive act that I’ve tried to do to support them.”
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