§ 39. Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will report on the extent of heroin addiction in Scotland and indicate what proposals he has to counteract it.
§ Mr. John MacKayIn Scotland during 1982 formal notification was given of 270 new heroin addicts and 70 former heroin addicts. The comparable figures for 1981 were 170 and 46. Although these numbers are relatively small, they represent a worrying and increasing problem which is probably more widespread than the formal notifications suggest.
The responsibility for combating illegal activity involving heroin and other drugs rests with the police and chief constables attach high priority to this. Five of the eight Scottish police forces have full-time drug squads; and specially trained officers deal with the problem on a part-time basis in the other forces. The treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts are the responsibility of health boards and social work departments of local authorities, which work closely with each other and with the police on this subject. There are eight drug liaison committees on the main areas of population; and there are informal arrangements for liaison between the statutory bodies in four other areas.
In addition, the Scottish Office is providing funds for a survey of drug abuse in Strathclyde, and 75 per cent. of the cost of a drug rehabilitation project in Glasgow is being funded by the urban programme. Consideration will also be given to applications for financial support in respect of special projects intended to improve services for drug misusers where there is an established need.