This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
On the record briefing
06/03/2006
First Minister Jack McConnell, in a briefing for the media at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, said the clear priority of the Executive was to raise the level of ambition for young Scots and ensure adequate protection for vulnerable younger children.
Without commenting directly on the individual case reported in East Lothian, he said the Executive's drugs policy was to deal with the supply of drugs and also to tackle the demand.
"The fact is that there are record seizures of drugs and consistently high levels of convictions of dealers. I believe that our work in schools and our determination to raise the level of ambition for young people is having an impact on the demand, but at the same time there is the problem of rehabilitation and treatment services.
"I have asked this week that Ministers responsible for different aspects of this policy report to Cabinet to ensure that we do have the right policies in place."
Mr McConnell also talked about work to 'build respect' in communities, the reforms in the courts that have contriubted to more efficient operation, and the success of the Fresh Talent initiative in growing Scotland's population.