HOUSING chiefs have launched a clampdown on drug dens and have kicked out 13 suspected dealers from their homes so far this year.
HOUSING chiefs have launched a clampdown on drug dens and have kicked out 13 suspected dealers from their homes so far this year.
Glasgow Housing Association secured the evictions after winning court orders to take action.
A further 10 alleged dealers have terminated their tenancies while under the threat of action.
The tough stance is in response to requests from tenants to make their neighbourhoods safer.
GHA's dedicated Neighbour Relations Team specialises in dealing with serious cases of antisocial behaviour.
A specialist Drugs Officer was appointed to the team in January last year to liaise with other agencies to pursue individuals found guilty of dealing controlled substances and to have them evicted from GHA tenancies. This year's court actions carry on from the success of last year where 28 people were evicted compared to 10 in 2007.
One case this year saw a male tenant in the north of the city charged with drug related offences within his tenancy.
The tenant received a four-year prison sentence. When legal action began he terminated his tenancy.
Another case involved a male tenant in the south of the city.
The tenant was charged with drugs offences involving Diazapam and heroin. He was convicted and sentenced to 20 months in prison.
A decree of ejection was granted against him in April.
Jim Sneddon, executive director of Regeneration at Glasgow Housing Association said: "GHA will not tolerate any form of antisocial behaviour and recognises the negative impact it can have upon our tenants' lives.
"That's why we work with a range of partners including Strathclyde Police, the Glasgow Community Safety Services and Glasgow City Council as well as a number of support agencies to take whatever action is necessary to tackleantisocial behaviour and the root causes of antisocial behaviour.
"Our Neighbour Relations Team strives to change behaviour by working with the perpetrators to encourage them to cease acting in an antisocial manner.
"Nevertheless, GHA will use whatever legal means necessary - including eviction - to ensure that our tenants can enjoy a quiet and peaceful life in their own homes."
GHA's dedicated N R T specialises in dealing with serious cases of antisocial behaviour.
The team has 26 specialist officers with four on call 24 hours a day to tackle serious cases of antisocial behaviour in and around GHA properties.
NRT set up a Hotspot Team in June 2005 to focus on specific geographical areas suffering from severe antisocial problems such as gang fighting, youth disorder, street drinking and vandalism.
Since GHA's Neighbour Relations Team was established in September 2003, it has dealt with 2100 referrals, resolved 1583 cases and assisted 12,203 victims.
A total of 103 decrees for eviction have been issued by NRT since September 2003 in a bid to stop the most serious cases of antisocial behaviour.
GHA says eviction is always a last resort, but maintains it will use whatever legal means necessary to protect its 65,000-plus tenants across the city.
