Northumberland and Tyne & Wear - no place for drugs

As the festive season approaches, we’ve launched a campaign across Northumberland and Tyne & Wear highlighting the dangers of illegal drug use, spiking and how illegal drugs fuel serious organised crime in communities.

Drug trafficking is a major source of revenue for organised crime groups, many of which are involved in other forms of serious crime. Activity which disrupts drug trafficking therefore has a much wider impact on organised criminal activity - we can all play a part in this by looking out for and reporting signs of illegal drugs activity in our neighbourhoods.

Information from the community is vital in reducing drug crime in the area, with Crimestoppers - as a trusted national charity, fully independent of the police - being a safe way to pass on what you know 100% anonymously.

Tell us what you know and remain 100% anonymous - guaranteed. No one will ever know you were in touch with us - except you.

Call free on 0800 555 111, any time, or fill in our secure online form, here on our website:

Give information anonymously

Spiking 

Spiking is a serious crime which involves administering drugs or alcohol to someone without their knowledge or consent, usually with an intent to cause some harm to, or incapacitate, that person. It can be carried out with the motive of making a victim vulnerable enough to facilitate a sexual offence or theft.

It can include putting alcohol into a non-alcoholic drink, adding extra alcohol to an alcoholic drink, or slipping prescription or illegal drugs into a drink, food, cigarette or vape.

According to the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), between May 2022 and April 2023, the police across the UK received almost 7,000 reports of spiking - however, it is believed that it's under-reported.

Symptoms of spiking can include dizziness, confusion, vomiting, fatigue, memory loss and, for spiked vapes, shortness of breath and coughing.

If you know about or have seen someone spiking, you can contact our charity. We never ask for your personal details, just what you know about the crime. You stay 100% anonymous. Always.

Give information anonymously

Cocaine

Dealing of drugs such as cocaine has a big impact on communities. It directly leads to increased crime in communities, including serious violence. It also leads to the exploitation of children and vulnerable adults by the criminals who run drug supply lines.

Cocaine (hydrochloride) is a highly addictive drug. It’s extracted from the leaves of coca plants and is usually snorted, acting as a short-lived central nervous system stimulant.

Crack cocaine is the smokable form of the drug and comes as crystals known as rocks or stones. Crack and cocaine powder can be injected - doing this is linked to many harmful effects.

There are many risks associated with the use of cocaine (as with all drugs). For instance:

• Cocaine is risky for anyone with high blood pressure or a heart condition, but even healthy young people can have a fit, heart attack or stroke after using the drug.
• The risk of overdose increases if you mix cocaine with other drugs or alcohol.

According to the Office of National Statistics, cocaine deaths rose for the 13th consecutive year in 2024. There were 1,279 deaths involving cocaine registered in 2024, which was 14.4% higher than the previous year (1,118 deaths) and 11 times higher than in 2011 (112 deaths).

If you know someone who is dealing cocaine, you can contact our charity. We never ask for your personal details, just what you know about the crime. You stay 100% anonymous. Always.

Give information anonymously

Ketamine

By speaking anonymously to our charity, members of the local community can help put a stop to those supplying ketamine and other illegal drugs in their area.  

Ketamine use is on the rise, with those aged 18-24 with the highest rates of use. There are eight times more people going into drug treatment for ketamine use than there were a decade ago.

Ketamine can be used in different contexts, from party settings to self-medication.  

There are many risks associated with the use of ketamine. For instance:

• Sustained use can cause extremely painful bladder problems and damage the urinary tract, which could lead to incontinence and other complications that can be irreversible.
• Ketamine can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. It can make you confused, agitated, delirious and disconnected from reality.

Find out more:

The dangers of ketamine

Surge in ketamine use confirmed by UK wastewater study

If you know of someone who is dealing ketamine,  you can tell us any time of the day or night, 100% anonymously - guaranteed. 

Give information anonymously

MDMA (ecstasy)

MDMA is a recreational/club drug, can come in powder or crystal form and is also the active ingredient found in ecstasy pills.

There are many risks associated with the use of MDMA. For instance:

• Use of ecstasy has been linked to liver, kidney and heart problems.
• Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to the drug.

If you know of someone who is dealing MDMA or ecstasy,  you can tell us any time of the day or night, 100% anonymously - guaranteed. 

Give information anonymously

Useful links

• If you have been a victim of crime, you can contact  Victim Support
•  If you need help or support with addiction, TALK to FRANK

5 December 2025