There have been nine drug-related fatalities in the city so far this year - the latest being Steven Chisholm, of Suilven Way, Kinmylies, earlier this month - and tonight the mother of a heroin addict who died from a suspected overdose in Culloden will make an emotional appeal to other users to help detectives in the run up to Christmas.

Kate Shanks - whose 30-year-old daughter Suzanne was found dead at her flat in Alltan Court in July - is to appear at the campaign launch and chief inspector Andrew MacLean, stressed users held the key to tackling the city's dealer network.

"The contribution from the public is valuable and they must not underestimate it, even if given anonymously," said the police's Inverness area commander. "There has been a number of drugs-related deaths this year, which shows what ultimately can happen with the abuse of drugs. It leads people into not just risking their health, but their entire life and can take them into a real spiral of despair.

"It is a terrible thing," he continued. "These people who deal in drugs know exactly what they are causing when they are doing that to make money for their own pocket."

The campaign is backed by the Crimestoppers charity, whose ongoing Ditch the Dealer initiative enables people to provide information anonymously.

"Obviously, drug users are caught in a vicious circle, but I would encourage all those who have fallen into the trap to come forward with information," said Jim Ferguson, chairman of Highlands and Islands Crimestoppers branch.

"We will completely protect their identity but they need to seek help and they need to tell us who is supplying their drugs. We are going after the people who are going after our young people and trying to get them hooked on substances. We are very keen to see drug dealers brought to justice and we want to see them put out of business."

The number of drugs offences in the Northern Constabulary area has risen over the past 12 months and on Friday chief constable Ian Latimer will update police board members of the latest incidents.

They include:

• A man being arrested for alleged possession of 4oz cocaine, 2kg cannabis resin, 2kg amphetamine and 20,000 suspected ecstasy tablets - altogether worth around £120,000 - at Drumossie Brae.
• Three men being arrested for allegedly possessing 1kg of cocaine, with a street value of approximately £50,000, in Drumnadrochit.
• A man being charged with allegedly supplying drugs after 650g of cannabis resin - with an estimated street value of £3250 - was found at a property in Inverness along with tablets and powder.

Anyone with information about drug dealers should contact Inverness police on 01463 715555 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Tackling organised crime

POLICE in Inverness are stepping up their fight against drug dealers by working with other forces to stop illegal substances coming into the city.

Seven months ago The Inverness Courier revealed how detective superintendent Ralph Noble, Northern Constabulary's head of crime, planned to battle organised criminials because rival drugs groups were vying for control of profits from the trade of cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

"They come to Inverness because they see it's a growing economy and they see there are opportunities," he said at the time.

"The organised crime groups will quickly identify any gaps in the market and they will fill them rapidly. Although I'm not giving them credit, they do have business acumen.

"If they do see an opportunity they exploit it, irrespective of how many victims they take with them."

Inverness area commander, chief inspector Andrew MacLean, believed there had been some success so far.

"There have been major seizures of drugs in cities like Glasgow and Edinburgh which were clearly destined for the north," he said.

"We are not just working at a local level - we are working with other police forces and agencies to try and stop it coming in."

andrew.dixon@inverness-courier.co.uk

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