HC Deb 18 March 1998 vol 308 cc620-1W
Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies his Department has commissioned to ascertain what amount of crime is drug-related in Scotland. [34017]

Mr. McLeish

The Scottish Office commissioned research on "Heroin Use and Crime" by the Addictions Research Group of the University of Strathclyde, which was published in 1990. We are currently funding a collaborative study, which is being carried out at Ruchill Hospital, to assess whether methadone prescribing in Glasgow is associated with changes in drug injecting, crime, health and social functioning. The relationship between crime and substance misuse remains a priority area for future research.