Roseanne, Melissa and Penny.
Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police
Above is the dramatic changes of Roseanne’s appearance over an 8 year span of drug addiction.
Below are some pictures which are getting used by the Metropolitan Police in there latest advertising campaign to encourages Londoners to call Crimestoppers with information about drug dealers. The Met needs help from the public to gather intelligence in order to arrest dealers and put a stop to their activity. The shocking images showing the degenerative effects of drug use on addicts, “the victims of drug dealers”. The campaign media consists of outdoor posters, press advertising, nightclub flyers, radio infomercials and beer mats.
Read the Press Release & Watch The Campaign Video or Listen To The The Radio Advert
Three Stories (The Change Of Face)
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Roseanne Holland Roseanne was 29 when the first shot was taken and 37 at the time of the last photo. This horrific deterioration happened in only 8 years. Roseanne was from Florida and the images were provided by the Florida state police. Roseanne’s photos are custody photos taken when she was arrested for drug related crimes over the 8 year time span. |
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Melissa Collara Melissa’s story is particularly sad owing to her young age. She was 18 when the first photo was taken and only 21 by the time the second photo was taken. During this period of time she was arrested 17 times for prostitution to pay for her crack addiction. Her image and story were supplied by the St Petersburg Police (Florida). |
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Penny Wood Penny was addicted to Class A drugs (Methamphetamine) and her decline depicted is over a 4-year period, when she was aged 36 – 40. Penny is from Chicago. Penny has written a touching letter to the Metropolitan Police Service in support of there campaign and welcomes the use of her pictures. Penny’s letter can be accessed, in two parts below: |
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Penny’ Letter
Click On The Above Pictures To View The Letter
28th September 2004
Hello. I wanted to thank you for asking permission to use my photo as so many don’t. This drug is evil. There is no other way to describe it. Not only the outer disfiguration is extreme; the effects it has on your insides are worse. Young (old) people need to know that maybe for a minute you’ll be skinny and full of energy, but the long term effects are _______. I have no word to describe, but here is my story for young people to consider. It takes everything I have to walk a flight of stairs. My lungs are destroyed. I have no control over my bladder – I pee my pants all the time. I can’t take a bowel movement without a laxative. My long term and short term memories are near to none.And all this is just the beginning – I’ve only been clean 1 year and ½; so my body and brain are still not complete. Studies show that meth may cause cancer also. I want no pity, I just want these young people and old to know that this stuff does to your insides as well as the outward appearance. You can use my name and what I’ve written. People need to know and if you want or need anything from me – please don’t hesitate.
Sincerely, Penny S. Wood.
Press Release From Metropolitan Police
CRACKDOWN ON DRUG DEALERS
“DON’T LET DRUG DEALERS CHANGE THE FACE OF YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD”, is the powerful message of a Crackdown on Drugs advertising campaign launched by the Metropolitan Police Service today (01/11/04) which aims to drive drug dealers out of London’s communities.
The new campaign features actual photographs of Class A drug users to illustrate how their physical appearance deteriorates dramatically over time. The campaign aims to make the link between the devastating effect of drugs on individuals and the deterioration of whole communities. Londoners are asked to call Crimestoppers with any information to help stop the dealers.
Featured on street billboards, press advertisements, radio, beermats, and nightclub flyers, the adverts target 16 drug hot-spot boroughs around London.
Over the last two weeks the Met has targeted drugs dealers with a series of raids designed to disrupt those profiting from drugs around the capital. As a result of the raids, 146 arrests have been made, 5 kg of Class A drugs seized and more than £30,000 cash has been taken away from drug dealers.
Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur, Head of the Met’s Specialist Crime Directorate (SCD), said: “The use of illegal drugs across London devastates communities and the Met is not prepared to tolerate this. The massive success of the Crackdown on Drugs raids demonstrates that we can and will stop these criminals from destroying neighbourhoods. We will continue to ensure that drug dealers in London are left in no doubt that the Met knows who they are, and will remove them from the streets”.
Commander Stephen James, head of the Met’s Drugs Directorate, added: “Drug dealers who target communities with Class A drugs such as crack cocaine and heroin precipitate a problem which extends to many other types of crime. In order to finance their addiction, many addicts turn to crime – and that crime can be very violent. We want Londoners to know that there are steps they can take to rid their communities of the dealers. By calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 they can provide anonymous information about dealers and can make a real difference in the fight against drugs.
“The advertising campaign will run over a period of three weeks in the boroughs of Brent, Camden, Croydon, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth and Westminster.