This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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We must tackle North East drug problems - FM
29/05/2002
New drug treatment and testing orders (DTTOs) are at the
heart of the drive to get North-east youngsters off drugs
and out of crime, First Minister Jack McConnell and Deputy
Justice Minister Richard Simpson said today.
Speaking after he visited Drugs Action in Aberdeen's
Union Street, Mr McConnell said:
"I am determined to tackle the problems of addiction and
back the police and courts to catch those who deal in drugs
on our streets. But to reduce drug use effectively, we have
to make sure addicts get their lives back on track.
Drug treatment and testing orders are one step. Our new
drug courts are also helping our criminal justice system
treat people as well as punish them. By taking firm action
through our drug enforcement agency and the courts, and
action to reduce drug use too, we can unite across all of
Scotland to deal with this menace."
There are currently 24 people subject to DTTOs in
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. These have been imposed at
Aberdeen Sheriff Court and Peterhead Sheriff Court since
Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire courts started using DTTOs
on December 3 2001.
Dr Simpson, who officially launched the North-east DTTO
project in Aberdeen today, said:
"We are fully aware of the extent of the drugs problem
in the North-east which is why we have almost doubled the
treatment resources in Grampian since 1998/99 to £1.313
million per year. Over the next three years, the Executive
will invest an additional £130 million in drug-related
services across the country.
What we need is a balanced approach - one that covers
education and prevention, treatment and care as well as
enforcement and work in communities. No single aspect is
more important than the other, but each is essential to the
success of the whole.
DTTOs are an important addition to the range of
sentences available to courts. Most offenders sentenced to
a DTTO will have previously served prison sentences but
reached a stage where they want to overcome their drug
dependency. They are also unique in bringing together
treatment, testing and regular reviews by the courts. It
sets major challenges for those responsible for the
operation of the order not least the need for effective
multi-agency working.
They also set major challenges for the offender because
of the invasive nature of the order and the need for
commitment to an intensive programme of work. They are not
a soft option. We cannot expect everyone to succeed but
where successful it will bring about significant
improvements not only for the offender and his or her
family but also the wider community as the level of drug
related crime being committed reduces."
Aberdeen's DTTO Project operated out of Exchequer House
in Aberdeen until 27th March this year when it transferred
to 137 Gallowgate, Aberdeen. Premises are in the process of
being refurbished at 88 King Street, Peterhead, which will
be the DTTO Project office for North Aberdeenshire.
All Orders are reviewed on a monthly basis in Court.
While there are those who are in a position where it may be
possible to dispense with the personal appearance, the
clients themselves feel that this would not be beneficial.
They feel that the Court appearance is a motivating factor
in their progress. The reviews are therefore felt to be an
integral part of the Order. The project is currently
operating within and meeting the targets that have been
identified in its evaluation.
Recent research gave a more accurate estimate of the
number of problematic drug users in Scotland. It estimated
3,645 users in Aberdeen, the third highest prevalence rate
behind Glasgow and Dundee and 1,372 users in
Aberdeenshire.
DTTOs involve drug users being given individual
treatment programmes related to their drug use, alternative
prescribing in the form of methadone programmes and
individual counselling and group work programmes. The
Executive is committed to a phased roll-out, making DTTOs
available in a further seven Sheriff courts throughout
Scotland from this summer.
The additional resources invested in the Grampian area
for the period 2001 - 2004 also include over £0.5
million for treatment; £2 million for drug rehabilitation;
over £1.2 million for work with children and young people;
over £100,000 for drug related Social Inclusion
Partnerships; and other funding for drug-related community
safety initiatives; employment initiatives and criminal
justice interventions.
Drug courts are being trialled initially in Glasgow and,
in the near future, Fife. Progress will then be evaluated
and the Ministers will decide if drug courts should be
extended into other areas.