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SCOTTISH ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON DRUG MISUSE: Psychostimulant Working Group Report
CHAPTER 4: PREVENTION
4.1 The assessment by the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) of the availability of cocaine and crack cocaine in Scotland and an analysis of the data sources relating to stimulant use have confirmed that there is a growing availability of and demand for these substances in Scotland. Whilst there is no indication that an epidemic is likely, the Working Group was concerned about the real possibility that more people in Scotland will be drawn into using stimulants. It was also concerned that there appears to be significant unmet need for services among existing stimulant users.
4.2 In this situation, it is important that more should be done by the police and Customs and Excise to control supply. We are aware that Customs and Excise are commissioning research in this area and of the findings of the SDEA assessment. However the Working Group feels that the SDEA needs to recommend specific action to the police to reduce supply and strengthen enforcement.
4.3 It is also clear that prevention is a key issue to be addressed particularly with young people. Information needs to be available to help young people to decide against using drugs. The Working Group accepted the premise, which was highlighted in the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, that all drugs are harmful and should be discouraged.
4.4 The Working Group welcomed the approach of the Scottish Executive's drugs communications strategy which was launched earlier this year, in particular the distinction it makes between an "all drugs" approach at national level and targeting specific groups with explicit information at local level. However, the Group was concerned that any communication strategy for stimulants should inform people of the dangers of use and avoid encouraging use. It is important that the work undertaken by the Executive with local media should highlight where help and advice for stimulant users can be obtained. It is also important that DATs, and other players working to develop local communications strategies, take into account the very different profile and needs of stimulant users as distinct from opiate users. For instance, evidence from the Piper Project suggests that 'word of mouth' does not really work with stimulant users who are generally more isolated from their peers than people who use opiates; consequently they are more likely to pick up information from general venues such as libraries or sports centres.
4.5 There is clearly a need for specific information on the dangers of using amphetamines, cocaine and crack cocaine at local level. Specific drugs literature can be produced linked to the
Know the Score campaign to meet local needs. This proposal sits well with the Scottish Executive communication strategy's focus on promoting harm reduction at local level. DATs need to develop messages appropriate to the situation in their areas, taking account of the marked regional variations both in availability and in modes of use. They need to identify new more general information outlets that will reach stimulant users. Work needs to be done to tailor health messages to different audiences by using different approaches. Consideration should be given to the use of websites and locations that are accessible to the general public such as libraries and sports centres etc.
4.6 Accurate information on the dangers of crack/cocaine use, similar to that produced by COCA UK, and the Blenheim Project must be made available for use in Scotland. Specifically targeted information should be available to drug services, health professionals, service users, needle exchanges, employers, the police and prison service. Information resources already available from the Piper Project, COCA, the Blenheim Project and Mainliners should be examined with a view to developing similar resources for use in Scotland.
4.7 In addition stimulant users need to be given information that enables them to make informed decisions and reduce associated harm. They need in particular to be informed on the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases as a result of risk taking sexual activity and of contracting blood borne viruses, the latter is particularly associated with the injection of crack and cocaine. The Lord Advocate's guidance on the number of sets of injecting equipment that can be supplied on one occasion needs urgent review. Needle exchanges must be able to supply enough sets of equipment to meet the increased need of crack and cocaine injectors.
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