A FORMER addict fears Barrow’s highly-publicised drug problem will never be solved.

Following Operation Horizon that saw 22 people charged with drug related offences, one resident from Barrow Island has claimed that drugs are still a significant problem in Barrow and will remain so.

The man, who said he has been clean for 20 years, approached The Mail raising concerns that the police still had to do a lot more to reduce the impact of county lines on drug users and vulnerable people.

He said: “We do have a big county lines problem and I am glad it is getting challenged by the police. But a friend of a friend told me that he had been getting texts off people from Manchester and Liverpool offering them drugs.

“I also think I could go round the corner now and even though I haven’t scored for 20 years I could score within half an hour, it is that easy - a lot more still needs to be done.”

In response a leading sergeant from Barrow Police has defended the police’s actions and ongoing work to crackdown on drugs in Barrow.

Sergeant Sara Seath said: “We have received hundreds of positive responses to the extensive work we are doing to tackle drug supply and use in Barrow.

“Whilst a market for illegal substances remains present in Barrow, dealers will continue to try and supply in the area.

“We can, and do, disrupt supply chains, but we are working hard to stop the cycle and deal with the bigger picture.”

Despite the amount of people charged following the drug raids, the resident claims Barrow’s drug problem “will never be solved”.

He said: “I even see people outside my window going to score”.

And when questioned about why he thinks drugs were still a major issue for Barrow he responded: “It seems like the police just wait for five to six months and then round them all up and then wait another six months to do the same thing again.

“It feels like we are just pawns for those up on the hill and it’s up to those people in power to get it sorted.

“Some of the dealers involved in county lines don’t even have addictions and are just in it for the money exploiting people.”

In response, Sergeant Seath added that a lot of the work the police does involves a lot of “sensitive activity” that goes on behind the scenes that the public does not see.

She added: “It takes time to investigate reports of drug dealing.

“Operation Horizon is just one of many operations undertaken in a year.

“Whilst it might not look like action is being taken, we continue to take a proactive approach to drug offences.

“We are currently in the process of opening a ‘Wellbeing Hub’ in Egerton Court in collaboration with our partners.

“It will open on January 30, and will offer a vast range of services to the residence including support with quitting substance abuse.

“I would urge anyone who has concerns or information regarding the supply of drugs in Barrow, to contact police on 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.”