The cash is part of additional funds released by the chancellor, Gordon Brown, in the Budget. The police need the eyes and ears of the community.
Drugs weaken and damage and even destroy communities.
Losing one's child through drugs was especially difficult to cope with. It's not just the loss of their life but the loss of the life to come, the loss of a vibrant young person killed by a drug dealer. The bulk of this money will cover high visibility policing of drug hotspots, an increase in neighbourhood wardens, support for parents and residents groups, improved security including CCTV and street lighting, and more school truancy sweeps. Pilot schemes are to begin in Hackney in north-east London, Stafford and Nottingham. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and United striker Andy Cole backed the initiative.