THE DRUG PROBLEM NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE BORDER
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Drugs offences in Scotland have more than quadrupled in the past decade. In England and Wales, drugs offences more than trebled between 1987 and 1997.
Keith Hellawell is the UK's anti drugs co-ordinator but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have the powers to form their own national strategies.
England and Scotland's official strategies and aims are broadly similar, tackling the problem through local drugs action teams and a range of statutory and voluntary bodies, and anti- drugs organisations.
The new Scottish Executive has identified the drugs problem as one of its key priorities. It plans to set up Britain's first Drug Enforcement Agency which will take control of police and customs drug operations. And it will co-ordinate the work of all eight Scottish police forces and the Scottish Crime Squad. Money will be made available for an extra 200 police officers.
Drugs courts may also be set up by the Scottish Parliament. Intended to take some offenders out of the criminal system, the courts could order drug users to go into therapy or rehabilitation as an alternative to traditional punishments.
Drugs deaths in Scotland rose from 263 in 1997 to 276 in 1998. This year, the number of deaths in Strathclyde has already almost reached last year's total. In England and Wales, drugs deaths have risen consistently from 1,942 in 1989 to 2,816 in 1997.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments