By Doug Kennedy BBC Scotland news website

Ms McLaughlin raised local concerns with the first minister

The scheme to encourage people to provide anonymous information was launched by First Minister Jack McConnell in Barrhead.

Craigheads Tenants and Residents Association secretary Nancy McLaughlin said the community should take the opportunity to make a difference.

Ms McLaughlin said: "It's up to us to get on with it."

The �1m campaign, to run until the end of March, includes press and radio advertising, posters, and beer mats in pubs and clubs.

The cost also includes extra staff being taken on by Crimestoppers to handle the increased volume of calls.

The police have assured us there should be no fear of reprisal and we've got to try, we've tried everything else Nancy McLaughlin

Ms McLaughlin said: "Maybe the fear of violence and drugs is worse than the reality but where we are living it is concentrated because of the way the houses are built.

"It only takes one bad house, one bad person in a close, to affect 50 homes, 50 families."

Ms McLaughlin urged anyone who suspected drugs were being dealt near them not to be afraid to make a stand.

"We've tried everything else but one bad person can wipe out the hard work and community spirit," she said.

"The police have assured us there should be no fear of reprisal and we've got to try, we've tried everything else."

Locals fear the impact of dealers on the whole community

She said drugs had become a big issue in the area and that efforts were under way as a community to make a new start and get young people involved in making a difference.

"We've done a lot of good work and been supported by the council and the police. We've had a bad patch of apathy, but we're recapturing our community spirit," she added

The group also welcomed the focus on tackling crime brought by Mr McConnell's visit.