HC Deb 03 July 1968 vol 767 cc1490-1
26. Mr. Brewis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the present number of drug addicts known to his Department.

Mr. Millan

The number of addicts in Scotland who have been notified to date under the Dangerous Drugs (Notification of Addicts) Regulations is 16.

Mr. Brewis

While being very pleased that the number is so small, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is taking action to bring to the notice of the schools the great danger of drugs?

Mr. Millan

This matter is under active consideration but I am glad to say that, so far, the problem is still a very minor one in Scotland. All our efforts are bent towards maintaining that position.

Mr. Hugh D. Brown

While agreeing with the Minister of State's statement earlier that Glasgow is not the whole of Scotland—we accept that with our natural modesty—in all this furore and examination being made into crimes of violence, would the Scottish Office at least put the other side of the coin in the sense that drug taking is not a problem there, unlike the case in most other major cities?

Mr. Millan

That is quite right. I hope that this point will be noted by all those concerned about the position in other directions in Scotland. At least we have managed to contain this problem.