Keeping Drug Detection on the move: New Wheels for ‘Bear’

The Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership know the importance of the drug detection dog in restricting the transfer of illegal drugs across the Islands.  We are therefore pleased to announce collaborative work with Police Scotland in funding a new vehicle to support the Drug Detection dog. 

The vehicle will enable the Handler, Constable Stuart Wightman, and PD Bear to be deployed to carry out checks at environments such as ferry terminals, airports and delivery depots.   This preventative approach will reduce the situations that could place children, young people and adults at risk of developing problem drug use, prevent related harm and possible drug related deaths.

The funding guarantees the service continues to play a vital role in seizing illegal drugs.  The commitment from partner agencies will reduce the availability and harm caused by illegal drugs to make the islands a safer place to live. 

Chief Inspector Alasdair Macleod, Police Scotland, said: ‘I am delighted that my colleagues in the OHADP can support the valuable work of the drug detection dog in this way. The aim is to deter and disrupt the supply of controlled drugs in the Western Isles. The dog is also a valuable resource in helping us to detect the offenders in the supply chain. As well as scanning operations at transport and delivery hubs, Constable Wightman and Bear carry out patrols within the community and in licensed premises, and also help us to uncover concealed drugs during intelligence-led searches. This work allows us to take significant quantities of controlled drugs out of circulation before they fall into the hands of some of our most vulnerable people.

In all our work, Police Scotland rely on the support and assistance of the communities we serve, and drug detection is no different. Information about the supply of drugs in the Western Isles can be reported by calling 101, to any officer, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.’

Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership Chair, Gordon Jamieson said “The Partnership is proud to continue playing a part in reducing the supply of drugs within the Islands, helping to keep future generations safe.”

The OHADP shares the vision of the Scottish Government’s Rights, Respect and Recovery Strategy where individuals, families and communities have the right to health and life – free from the harms of alcohol and drugs. 

For further information on the work of the Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership please telephone: 01851 762022.

Above: Pictured beside the new vehicle is Constable Stuart Wightman and PD Bear from Police Scotland and Gordon Jamieson, NHS Western Isles Chief Executive and Chair of Outer Hebrides Alcohol and Drug Partnership.