Moves are aimed at shopping dealers by post

Residents in some of the areas hardest hit by the problem will receive leaflets urging them to send anonymous information using a free mail service.

About 220,000 people in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife and Glasgow are being asked to provide tip-offs.

Detective Chief Superintendent Stephen Ward said officers were already acting on information they had received.

He added: "Information on drug dealers - such as the name or nickname of the dealer, where and how they deal, their car registration number, the days or times they are most active, the type of drugs they are selling, anything you can tell us - is helpful."

I would urge anyone who has information to take five minutes to fill in the relevant information Hugh Henry MSP Deputy Justice Minister

Det Ch Supt Ward, from the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA), said the campaign was "really making a difference".

The leaflets will be sent to homes next week.

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said the Scottish Executive wanted to help police and the public "turn the tide against this evil trade" in some of the areas hardest hit by drugs.

"I would urge anyone who has information which could help put a drug dealer out of business and behind bars to ensure they take five minutes to fill in the relevant information," he said.