By Stewart McCulloch

One of the most successful Safer Scotland campaigns ever is the verdict after the “Drug Dealers Don’t Care. Do you?” triumph – and that’s official.

A bumper response from the public was recorded at our Glasgow Call Centre thanks to the Safer Scotland road show which helped drive home the message that drug dealers don’t care.

The 40ft long custom built exhibition trailer belonging to the Scottish Executive which is kitted out with the latest in audio visual aids is toured drugs black spots...and boosted calls to Crimestoppers by 80.5 per cent!

It supported the umbrella ‘national’ dimension to the campaign plus local initiatives. The £50,000 state-of-the art promotions truck which say officials is miles better than an previous publicity ‘tool’ encouraged people to report information about crime by calling 0800 55 111 anonymously.

The road show featured Crimestoppers Scotland’s award-wining ‘HEAR for you 24/7’ watch-and-discuss DVD which shows the public what the only charity helping to solve crime is about in Scotland.

Sgt. Gary Ritchie at the Call Centre

Call Centre manager Sgt Gary Ritchie said:” This year’s campaign has got off to a flying start, with the Crimestoppers Scotland call centre in Glasgow, receiving significantly more calls from anonymous members of the public about drugs and the evil individuals who deal them.”

Drug Dealer’s Don’t Care, but the public do and this is borne out in the number of calls we continue receive on a daily basis, Margaret Curran MSP said, before trying her hand at basketball under the watchful eye of one of the Scottish Rocks' stars when the Road show visited Easterhouse recently.

Parliament Minister Margaret Curran MSP shows the message is clear!

As well as adverts and features in the local press and radio, the campaign also featured large outdoor posters and posters in bus shelters and telephone boxes. There will also be envelope drops to people living in the target areas with details of how to contact Crimestoppers.

The Justice Minister announced in March this year that around £2 million of the proceeds of crime would be invested in the six areas.

The cash will support initiatives aimed at reducing crime, improving people's quality of life and visibly repairing the harm caused to communities through the impact of serious violent crime.

The latest phase of the DDDC campaign, which costs £370,000 pounds (£250,000 pounds for advertising and £120,000 pounds for additional police intelligence), was funded entirely through assets seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.