The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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Iain Gray targets Scotland's drugs misery

01/12/2000

For the first time ever, Scotland is to have measurable targets to aim at in the fight to cut both the supply and the demand for drugs. One target is to cut drug deaths by at least a quarter over the next five years, from last year's figure of 340.

On a visit to the New Horizons Project for problem drug users in Glasgow, Deputy Minister for Justice Iain Gray announced that the Scottish Executive has set specific national targets and standards to bind together and focus the efforts of all those working to free communities from the misery drugs inflict. These span enforcement, education, treatment and rehabilitation.

Mr Gray said:

"We already have a ten-year anti-drugs strategy in place, and recently announced a £100 million package to kick-start the work on it. But what Scotland has never had before are clear and measurable objectives for us all to work to. Today I am providing that focus, with a set of tough, but attainable targets.

"Our target to reduce the number of drug deaths does not mean we regard any of them as acceptable. Every life cut too short, every family grieving for a loved one, every community which has lost one of its own, is one too many.

"However, it is right that that we should challenge ourselves, our partners in drug agencies and people across Scotland to do all we can to make a difference.

"These are difficult targets to set ourselves, and achieving reductions in supply and demand will depend on action across Scottish society, and indeed action in the UK and international scene. The challenge is a tough one, but the potential rewards to young people and communities are incalculable.

"I want these targets to become Scotland's targets. We are all involved in drugs, so we can all make a difference. These targets are tough but attainable - and, by working together, there's nothing to stop us beating them. They are a powerful sign of our determination to tackle drugs misuse"

The following targets are being set:

• to reverse the upward trend in drug related deaths and reduce the total number, by at least 25 per cent by 2005, (1999 figure 340);

• to increase the number of drug misusers in contact with drug treatment and care services in the community, by at least 10 per cent every year until 2005 (1999 figure 11,123);

• Reduce the proportion of drug misusers who inject by one fifth by 2005 (1999 figure 39 per cent);

• Reduce the proportion of injecting drug users sharing needles and syringes by 20 per cent by 2005 (1999 figure 34 per cent), and reduce the percentage of injecting drug users testing antibody positive for hepatitis C, by 20 per cent by 2005 (1999 figure 62 per cent);

• Reduce repeat offending by increasing the number of drug misusing offenders entering treatment from criminal justice diversion and community disposals, by 40 per cent by 2004 (baseline currently being established);

• Increase the number of drug seizures, by 25 per cent by 2004 (1999 figure 17,764); and

• Increase the number of offences recorded by Scottish police forces for 'supply or possession with intent to supply drugs', by 25 per cent by 2004 (1999 figure 8,514).

We also aim to:

• Reduce the proportion of people under 25 reporting use of illegal drugs in the last month and previous year substantially, and heroin use by 25 per cent by 2005; and

• Reduce the proportion of young people under 25 who are offered illegal drugs significantly, and heroin by 25 per cent, by 2005.

As part of this drive, by 2002 all schools are to provide drug education to every pupil, all local authorities must draw up comprehensive written drugs policies, and local policies are to be in place to support drug-using parents and their children. There is also to be emphasis on shared care for drug misusers among a the community and care services for the under 16's in all areas.

Over the next year the Scottish Executive will also be setting out targets for other areas of anti-drug action, such as for prisons.

Also published today are details of Scotland's current drugs picture in Drug Misuse Statistics for Scotland 2000.

BACKGROUND

1. The New Horizons Project offers users treatment and rehabilitation, and links to training and employment to help them steer a course away from addiction and towards a steady job. The Minister met with workers and users at the project.
2. The Scottish Executive indicated when it published its Drugs Action Plan in May that specific targets for progress in tackling drug misuse would be set following consultation with the drugs field, the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse and MSPs.
3. The Scottish Executive's ongoing Drug Misuse Information Strategy will provide further data about the availability of drugs, about prevalence in schools and the wider population, and about treatment services and treatment outcomes.
4. The Scottish Executive announced a £100 million package of measures to tackle Scotland's drug problem in September. Iain Gray will make a further announcement about how this money will be spent in January.
5. Drug Misuse Statistics for Scotland 2000 are published today and is available on the website: www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org

News Release: SE3101/2000
1 Dec 2000