Drugs

A national target will be introduced to ensure more people with problematic opiate drug use are accessing life-saving community treatments. There are currently around 29,500 people using Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST). Under the new target, announced today by drugs policy minister Angela Constanc

The latest quarterly report on the number of suspected drug deaths during 2021 shows a fall of eight per cent (116) on the previous year. The report from Police Scotland shows there were 1,295 deaths between January and December 2021. The equivalent number of suspected drug deaths for 2020 was 1,411

Native American tribes have settled for $590 million with Johnson & Johnson and three other drug distribution companies over opioid addiction in their community, The Times reports. The drug giant and distributors McKesson Corp, AmerisourceBergen Corp and Cardinal Health Inc had proposed paying a

Middle-class drug users could lose their passports or driving licences as part of a new UK government strategy on drugs. The news comes as it was reported that traces of cocaine were found in 11 bathrooms in Parliament.

In a world first, New Zealand has legalised drug-checking after passing a law to allow a temporary pill testing service at festivals to continue and expand. In contrast, other countries' drug-checking services have operated in a legal grey zone.

Nine prisoners have died at a maximum security prison this year, where guards have claimed authorities turn a blind eye as inmates are easier to deal with when they are on drugs, The Times reports. The deaths happened at HMP Shotts, in North Lanarkshire. Russell Findlay, the Conservative MSP for Wes

A life-saving nasal inhaler that can reverse the effects of an opiod overdose is being given to men leaving jail. Prisoners at Barlinnie are being given the device and training on how to use it before being released as this is a time when people are vulnerable to overdosing.

The Crown Office should consider dropping low-level drugs cases, an American attorney who championed similar changes in the US has said. Marilyn Mosby, who oversaw a radical shift in prosecutors' approach to drugs in Baltimore, Maryland, called on ministers to ensure that plans to arrest those in po

Possession of Class A drugs may incur a police warning rather than prosecution under a new “diversion from prosecution” policy for drugs announced by the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain QC. In a statement, Ms Bain said: "I have decided that an extension of the recorded police warning guideli

A publication of statistics on the number of suspected drug deaths during the first half of 2021 shows a small decrease (one per cent) on the same period last year. The report covers January to June this year.

Traffic police in Scotland are catching as many drivers on drugs as those who are drunk, new figures show. Specialist road officers are catching 40 to 50 motorists a week who have taken narcotics. The figures come after roadside tests were brought in two years ago. Drug wipes are used to detect drug

An East Ayrshire project is offering same-day support for people seeking help for drug use through an initiative introduced ahead of new treatment standards for Scotland. A total of £4 million was announced in May to fund Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) standards, which will mean people wh

A new toxicology laboratory for Scotland is to be created to provide state-of-the-art testing capabilities for police and prosecutors. The Scottish government is providing more than £6 million for the new purpose-built centre that will be able to test for a wide range of substances, including

Too many drug addicts are "cycling in and out" of prison without hope of rehabilitation or recovery, according to a UK government review. The Review of drugs part two: prevention, treatment, and recovery, by Dame Carol Black, sets out recommendations for drug treatment and recovery.

Grants worth a total of £1.61 million have been allocated to community-based drugs organisations and support services providing access to treatment and residential rehabilitation. The local support fund – for groups with an annual income of under £1 million – issued 24 awards