This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Minister sees 'positive progress' on drugs
29/09/2004
An increase of 8 per cent in the number of new drug misusers entering treatment services has been recorded.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henery described it as 'real progress in helping more troubled individuals to get a grip of their lives and out of the grip of the dealers'.
The latest statistics from the Scottish Drugs Misuse Database provide a wide range of information, including numbers entering treatment, the drugs they are using, and levels of injecting.
Mr Henry said:
"Drugs remain a clear and present danger to the lives of many young people in Scotland today. That's why our criminal justice services are working together to seize more drugs, establish Drugs Courts to deal with drug crimes, use smart community sentences to reduce drug-related offending, and target the assets of the dealers to hurt them in their pockets.
"But tackling drugs is about much, much more than the criminal justice services alone. Its about prevention, education, and crucially treatment and rehabilitation.
"We know that getting people with drug problems into treatment can reduce levels of illegal drug use and dangerous injecting, reduce offending, and deliver health improvements for individuals.
"That's why I am encouraged that over 12,600 new people attended drug services last year - around 1,000 more than for the previous year. Not just a statistical number but real progress in helping troubled individuals to get a grip of their lives, and out of the grip of the dealers."
The statistics also show a fall in the proportion of those attending services who reported using heroin and dangerous drugs such as valium. On injection of drugs, among the under 20s attending services, over 70 per cent have never injected, an increase of 10 per cent from the previous year.
There was also a fall in the overall numbers attending services who reported having injected in the month prior to seeking treatment.
Mr Henry said:
"The statistics show we are making solid progress with our key policy objectives. However, many people continue to share injecting equipment which can be contaminated with hepatitis and other lethal blood borne viruses.
"We already provide sterile equipment for those who are determined to inject, despite the extremely serious risks to their health, but we need to persuade more people not to inject - for their own good and to head off a potentially significant burden to the NHS in future years.
"The increase in cocaine and crack use among people attending services is slight, but these dangerous drugs are becoming more prevalent in Scotland. That's a wake up call for everyone and there is certainly no room for complacency.
"Our drugs services are doing excellent work in helping some of the most vulnerable and chaotic people in our society. This is backed by record investment from the Executive.
"I pay tribute to those working in the front line. While we are making progress, we can all do more to reduce the damage caused by drugs to individuals, families and communities across Scotland."