Adam Newton was commenting after a 17-year-old was charged with possessing both class B and class C drugs, and possession with intent to supply, but East Belfast UUP MLA Michael Copeland has said he views all those supplying drugs with contempt – whatever their age or circumstances.
The youth was arrested in the Delaware Street area of the city on Friday and has been charged to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court on a later date.
Cllr Newton said that while he condemned the alleged actions of the young man who has been charged, he believes local teenagers need to be protected from "drugs barons" who "exploit them as dealers or drug users".
He said: "The charges of possession of class B and class C drugs with the intention to supply are serious offences.
"However, while condemning his actions it is the drugs barons that need to be taken off the streets.
"These dealers in death are a scourge on our society and are destroying the lives of our young people."
Cllr Newton added: "The entire community needs to unite behind the efforts of the PSNI as they tackle the illegal drugs dealers.
"We all need to make an effort to make our society a safer place to live."
Speaking to the News Letter on Sunday night, Mr Copeland said he "had every Christian sympathy" for any young person caught up in similar circumstances, but that it was for the courts to decide if there were any mitigating circumstances.
"Those who are responsible for buying, selling and distributing drugs are a threat to the very basis of our society," he said. "They are destroying communities."
Mr Copeland added: "Whatever the age of those involved, I don't see any difference between the person supplying the rifle and the person pulling the trigger."
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