Amsterdam launches new street drug dealer warning to tourists

Amsterdam launched a new campaign warning tourists to be wary of street dealers selling drugs that may contain dangerous substances.  The campaign consists of a short, English-language video in which tourists are warned that the drugs these so-called "street dealers" sell are not always what they seem. They may contain anything from washing powder to dangerous and toxic substances. Tourists are also warned that these street dealers may be intimidating and may even try to rob them. The video is being circulated on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram. There is also a dedicated website with information and posters are being hung in areas frequented by tourists. The campaign was created by the Amsterdam Police, Jellinek and Amsterdam Marketing. It forms part of the city's tougher approach to crime and intimidation by street dealers. One Amsterdam street drug dealer, Flip S., was recently sentenced to one year in prison for selling white heroin as cocaine to three Danish tourists. The tourists ended up in the hospital. Three British tourists died after using white heroin as cocaine, though there was not enough evidence to link S. to these deaths.