| Councillor Ken Lynn said while there was “no magic solution” to the problem of drug users congregating in closes, landlords should ensure safety measures and security doors at their properties are up to scratch.
He made his comments after it was reported that a mother-of-two was forced to move out of her King Street home due to her close being taken over by drug users.
Councillor Lynn said, “What happens is that people are looking for an available close as soon as they’ve bought their heroin.
“I don’t know about this case, but in some cases security doors can be pretty flimsy and I would urge landlords in Dundee to ensure doors to their closes are secure.
“If they do have a proper security door, then it should be strong enough to withstand a few kicks.”
Deborah Giltin (31) moved out of the flat yesterday, complaining the close had been turned into a squat for heroin users.
She said she had once seen her four-year-old son holding a used syringe, and even seen a man inject the drug into his groin.
She had to clean bloodstains from the walls, sweep up needles, foil and swabs from the stairwell, and even had drug users kicking on her door to ask for a spoon or glass of water.
Deborah said although the entry system had been repaired on a number of occasions, each time it had been broken again soon afterwards.
“Every day I would leave my flat not knowing what we were about to walk into,” she said, “I just wanted my children away from there as soon as possible.”
She said nothing had been done about the problem despite repeated calls to police and her landlord.
A spokesperson for Blackadders Property Services, which manages the property, said they were liaising with the owner of the flat and would be carrying out a full investigation today.
Councillor Lynn said people with problems should keep reporting them to the police.
“I don’t have a solution for the heroin problem in Dundee, but I know that some people are really suffering,” he said. “People shouldn’t panic, because in most cases drug users aren’t threatening – but it is very upsetting to come across them on your doorstep.”
A spokesperson for Tayside Police requested that anyone who is using needles dispose of them appropriately in sharp boxes.
“Anyone with any concerns regarding needles can contact us,” she said. “The more information we have, the more action we will take to stop this from happening.” |
