JOBS PLAN FOR FORMER DRUG ADDICTS

The government-funded agency fighting drug abuse in Scotland is being
encouraged to work with business to provide jobs for former addicts.

Scotland Against Drugs (Sad) is to be given UKP 4.5m by the Scottish
Executive over the next three years, but has been told to "refocus"
its work.

The cash, announced by Deputy Justice Minister Iain Gray at a drugs
summit in Edinburgh, ensures the organisation will continue until
March 2004.

Mr Gray said the money would be used to improve drugs education in
Scottish schools and local communities.

He also announced that businesses are being asked for another UKP
1.5m to provide work placement schemes to give former addicts the
chance of a steady job and help them stay off drugs for good.

Mr Gray said: "It will deliver directly the message that business
does not just have to accept the consequences of drugs such as
drug-related crime - it can help offer long term solutions.

"By providing ex-addicts with training and the prospect of a steady
job, businesses can make sure they stay off drugs forever."

Scotland Against Drugs, which has cross-party political support, was
originally set up in 1996.

Scottish Executive ministers, Scotland Against Drugs' representatives
and the UK's drugs tsar Keith Hellawell voiced confidence in Sad as
they met to discuss drug prevention strategies.

The agency's three main tasks are to attract more money from
companies; to set up more community drugs projects and create more
drug-free schools.

Scottish society

Mr Gray said that what had been achieved so far could be used as a catalyst.

He added that every sector of Scottish society had to be mobilised
against drugs abuse.

Mr Gray also announced that businessman Sir Tom Farmer CBE will
continue as the chairman of Sad, while Alistair Ramsay MBE will
continue to work as its director.

Sir Tom said that it was also important to help people who were former addicts.

He said businessmen could do that by offering employment.

Mr Hellawell, who has been reporting to Scottish ministers on
international developments, suggested confiscation of dealers' assets
was a very important element in any continuing strategy.

The summit also heard how 29 of Scotland's 32 local authorities had
signed up to have teaching staff trained to provide the most
up-to-date drugs education for their pupils.

Sad has also set itself the target of establishing a drug-free
environment in 30% of Scottish education establishments by 2004.

First Minister Henry McLeish said he was backing the work being
carried out by Sad and said he hoped that success would continue over
the next three years.