This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Drug misuse statistics
14/12/2005
Statistics released today show a near 10 per cent increase in the number of new drug misusers entering treatment services.
Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said that this was further evidence of government investment in drug treatment yielding results.
There are also reductions in the numbers reported to be using and injecting heroin.
The statistics on new individuals accessing drug treatment services for the first time provide a wide range of information, including numbers entering treatment, the drugs they are using, and levels of injecting. They are published today for the first time within Drug Misuse Statistics Scotland 2005, a compendium of drug statistics, the majority of which have been published previously.
Key figures from the information on individuals accessing treatment for the first time are:
- In 2004-05, 14,322 'new' individuals were reported to the Scottish Drug Misuse Database, an increase of 1,246 individuals (10 per cent) from 2003-04 (13,086)
- Of those reporting illicit drug use, 68 per cent used heroin in 2004-05 compared to 71 per cent in 2003-04
- For the last two years (2003-04 and 2004-05) eight per cent of those reporting illicit drug use have reported cocaine use
- In 2004-05, 30 per cent of all individuals reported that they had injected in the month prior to seeking treatment (in 2003-04 the figure was 37 per cent) - in the under 20 age group, 78 per cent of individuals have never injected
Mr Henry said:
"Drugs remain a real 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.
"Recently some people have tried again to reduce the debate about drug treatment to abstinence versus harm reduction. It is high time we ended the unhelpful obsession in trying to prove whether abstinence or harm reduction strategies are best. The most effective treatment will always depend on the circumstances of the individual addict - there is no 'one size fits all' solution. That is why we are committed to expanding all kinds of treatment.
"So I am encouraged that 14,322 new people attended drug services last year - over 1200 more than for the previous year. Not just a statistic but real progress in helping troubled individuals start the journey towards more stable, productive lives.
"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."
Mr Henry was commenting on the annual publication of statistics from the Scottish Drug Misuse Database which is managed by Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland. The information on individuals entering treatment services - section B1 of the report - is being published for the first time.