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Tackling drugs misuse
15/10/2008
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing will visit Ayrshire today for the first in a series of events to discuss the delivery of the new national drugs strategy.
The strategy was published on May 29 and unanimously endorsed by the Parliament on June 4. It places the promotion of recovery at the centre of work to tackle drug use and should help cut the estimated annual £2.6 billion financial cost of problem drug use to the Scottish economy and society.
Key measures in the strategy include:
- A recognition that tackling problem drug use will only be done through effective policies on the economy, tackling poverty, and supporting families and children
- A fresh approach to drugs education, including the provision of factual information on drugs for parents and grandparents - the Know the Score Publication 'Drugs - What Every Parent Should Know' was delivered to households across Scotland
- Reforming how drug services are planned, commissioned and delivered - with a stronger focus on outcomes - and more robust accountability between the Government and local partners
- A commitment to strengthen existing powers to seize assets from drug dealers making a lifetime of crime open to a lifetime of recovery and channelling these monies back into communities
- A new approach to achieve better quality and consistency of drug treatment across all prisons
Minister for Community Safety Fergus Ewing said:
"I'm making a series of visits to meet those at the forefront of delivering the new national drugs strategy. I'm delighted to hear first hand from the professionals, voluntary groups and service users about their experience of tackling the various problems which drugs misuse poses for local communities.
"The strategy was developed after consultation with experts, practitioners, service users and other key interests. Given the key role of local authorities, I'm delighted that COSLA's Health & Wellbeing spokesman Councillor Ronnie McColl will be joining me for most of my visits (though not in Ayrshire today).
"We want to change not just the delivery of drug support services but the very culture that underpins them.
"We will challenge any culture of fatalism that recovery from drug addiction is impossible. And we will continue to challenge the culture of arrogance within organised crime that they and their assets are beyond the arm of the law.
"The strategy marks a new phase in tackling drug misuse and places recovery at its heart. Beyond simply reducing risk and harm, services should support people to move on, towards a drug-free life, as active and contributing members of society.
"From enhancing the skills and knowledge of the substance misuse workforce to acting to improve the life-chances of children in substance misusing families, the strategy sets the foundations for a sustained drive to recover lives and reduce the social and economic costs of drugs to our communities."
Cllr McColl added:
"Given councils' role in contributing to the delivery of services for those with, and those affected by, drug problems, it is vital that I'm aware of any issues surrounding the implementation of the 'Road to Recovery' strategy.
"It is my experience that there is no substitute for personal involvement and hearing it straight from those with a direct interest, which is is why I am joining the Minister on a number of the visits he is making during his Autumn tour.
"Unfortunately, prior commitments mean that I will not be able to participate in the Ayrshire visit. I look forward, however, to hearing about the visit from the Minister and to adding that feedback to COSLA's knowledge on this important issue."
Mr Ewing and Ayrshire & Arran Alcohol and Drug Action Team (ADAT) Chair Dr Maggie Watts and Ruth Shepherd, ADAT Joint Commissioner/Coordinator will be available for media bids at Crosshouse Hospital at 9.15am on Wednesday 15th October.
The Minister for Community Safety launched the national drugs strategy on May 29, 2008 and unanimously endorsed by the Scottish Parliament on June 4, 2008.