Giant hypodermic syringe found on college green

bristol | drugs and crime | news report Friday October 07, 2011 10:54 by James T Grundy

Early last saturday morning, when taking my young nephews to the town centre for a trip shopping and to see some of the excellent paintings in the Bristol Museum, I noticed the most recent example of so called "street art" ,"urban graffiti" or what ever terminology might currently be in vogue amongst the chattering classes. In the middle of college green under the very noses of our "elected representatives" lies a very large accurately rendered model of a hypodermic needle. What strikes me is that the current craze that has taken in the publicity hungry and desperately image conscious members of BCC and the liberal media that they court, encourages and indeed gives tacit approval to illegal activities and anti-social behaviour. Indeed the "sculpture" of the needle can as well as encouraging graffiti, urban vandalism and nihilistic "youth culture activities" as could be argued about some of the recent council (and taxpayer funded) "art works" in Nelson street, can also been seen to be promoting drug use , at least lending an element of "coolness" to an inherently dangerous and destructive activity , that destroys lives. This is not remotely "cool" for anyone who has experienced the trauma of having a neighbour or family member addicted to or affected by the crime associated with these substances. Maybe our elected representatives, and unelected council chiefs can ponder this when they look out of the window of the council house at the latest piece of street art that they have at least in part given approval to through there badly thought out actions!



James T Grundy
Sandy Park Road
Brislington