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Government sets tough new objectives for reducing drug misuse
11/03/1999
Scottish Health Minister Sam Galbraith has promised that Government will take a 'hands on' role in mobilising Scotland's drug misuse organisations to tackle Scotland's drug problem more effectively.
Mr Galbraith made the pledge jointly with Education and Home Affairs Ministers Helen Liddell and Henry McLeish as the Government published its new enhanced national strategy - Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership.
Mr Galbraith also signalled extra investment of £300,000 next year on more research into the prevalence of drug misuse in Scotland - so future resources can be better targeted.
The strategy unveiled in Glasgow today sets out:
- national objectives for the country's frontline Drug Action Teams including reducing the number of drug deaths - backed by an extra £5 million in resources;
- more help for Scots youngsters in resisting the lure of drugs, including encouraging drug education for all children in every school in the country;
- new measures to break the vicious cycle of drugs and crime, such as the £3 million pilot Drug Treatment and Testing orders;
- and a 'gloves off' crackdown on pushers and dealers by the nation's enforcement agencies, specifically targeting drug trafficking and distribution networks.
Speaking at the launch of the enhanced strategy, Mr Galbraith said:
"Drug misuse is eating away at the fabric of life in too many communities across Scotland. Getting 'wasted' on drugs means just that - wasted lives, wasted homes, wasted jobs, and wasted opportunities. It is time Scotland took a stand to dispose of that waste.
"We are spending over £50 million a year to help communities break free from drugs. But we need to use that money better and deliver sharper results on the front-line if we are to give people the confidence to fight back against drugs. We must adopt a strong 'hands on' approach to the prevention and treatment of drug misuse, just as we must adopt a tough 'gloves off' tack with those who peddle drugs. That is what this enhanced national drugs strategy is all about.
"We have over 100 organisations dedicated to tackling drugs and helping communities. They each have specific roles to play. This strategy brings them together under one banner with one single aim - to tackle drug misuse for Scotland.
"The next step - and the most vital - is involving the community. This must become quite simply the largest mobilisation of the public, voluntary and private sector this country has seen. The families in Cranhill have shown what can be done. Others must now follow. Together we can win back our communities and build a safer, healthier Scotland."
BACKGROUND
1. The Government is committed to making Britain a better place to live and to tackling the harm caused by the misuse of drugs. Last year, the Government published a White Paper 'Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain'. In Scotland, The Scottish Office was asked to consider existing policy and strategies on drugs in light of the White Paper. Today's document 'Tackling Drugs in Scotland: Action in Partnership' is the result of that.
2. The new enhanced drugs strategy for Scotland has been signed up to by all the key partner organisations including:
- Drug Action Teams
- Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse
- Scottish Drugs Forum
- Scotland Against Drugs
- the NHS in Scotland
- CoSLA on behalf of Scottish local authorities
- Scottish Police Forces
- HM Customs and Excise
- the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS)
- the voluntary sector
- Scottish Business in the Community
3. The strategy delivers an overarching co-ordination role for the strengthened Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse (SACDM), with a commitment to report annually to Ministers, and shortly the Scottish Parliament, on progress. The strategy takes fully into account the recent evaluation of the Drug Action Teams in Scotland.
News Release: 0591/99
11 March 1999