Mums' fear of Kirkgate drug users

A GROUP of young mothers took to the streets to stage an anti-drugs protest in a shopping centre they say they are too afraid to use.

The mums, who all have young babies, say the number of drinkers and drug-takers around Leith's New Kirkgate centre means they cannot go there with their children.

Ironically, on the day of the protest there were no troublemakers in the area, but the group said the sight of drug dealers and users was a common one. They were handing out drug information booklets produced by the Scientology-backed organisation Foundation for a Drug-Free World, but said they were using them because they were provided free of charge, and were not themselves part of the church.

They also encouraged passers-by to sign a pledge to live drug-free lives, to encourage others to do the same, and to learn more about the way that drugs can harm people.

Stephanie Kane, 23, of Annfield, was there with her seven-month-old son Olly. She said the group were originally friends-of-friends and got to know each other when they all had children at around the same time.

She said: "I've grown up in Leith and I've always felt quite strongly about the drug scene. I went to the schools round here and I know there's drugs here and I don't want Olly to go to the schools here.

"Since I had Olly I don't want to come to the Kirkgate. Outside Boots, that's where they deal drugs and it's really obvious. A junkie tried to steal my phone out of my hand at the traffic lights."

Jo Fraser, 28, who recently moved away from Leith to live in Gorgie, was campaigning with six-month-old daughter Chloe. She said: "I've lived in Leith most of my life and I've seen this area in particular just go from bad to worse. Since becoming a mum six months ago I hate walking through the Kirkgate and walking there on my own with the baby."

They also attracted the support of Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, who said: "As a young mum myself a lot of what the girls have been talking about - how do you bring this up with your children, when do you bring it up, what do you say - is something that I think is on every parent's mind.

"I think the more people can raise the issues, can talk about it, the better. It's fantastic trying to get more people to sign up to this and to see young women and mums getting involved in campaigning. It's great that they've come out with their kids today."