DEALER'S CASH SET TO HELP ADDICTS

ASSETS seized from wealthy drug barons may be used to help addicts
kick their habit as part of a new attempt to drive criminals out of
business.

Home affairs minister Henry McLeish is setting up an 'enforcement
group' including officials from the Lord Advocate's office, the
courts, the police, procurators fiscal, and the Scottish Office, to
see how confiscation laws can be strengthened, particularly in the
civil courts.

McLeish wants the group to look at the possibility of using the
millions seized from dealers to be used to help people recover from
drug addiction.

Money raised by selling the homes of drug dealers could also be
siphoned directly into clinics helping young people trying to come off
drugs.

McLeish believes legislation could be prepared in time for the opening
of the Scottish parliament in seven months.

"Draconian steps may be required to deal with the kind of menace we
have," he said. "To kill is bad enough, but to benefit from that death
is frankly appalling."

The minister's resolve has been strengthened following the death of a
17-year-old girl in his Fife Central constituency last week Jacqueline
Gourlay, a childminder, plunged down a flight of stairs in Glenrothes
after apparently experimenting with amphetamines.

McLeish has not ruled out similar procedures used in Ireland and the
US to confiscate drug dealers' assets, which are much tighter than in
this country, but he will wait to see what the enforcement group
recommends. He is also awaiting a report being prepared by the Home
Office on confiscation.

The legislation comes up for its next big test in Scotland on November
2, when convicted heroin dealer Stephen 'Fatty' Boyle, faces hearings
under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Boyle, 31, from Shettleston, was jailed for eight years last week
after being caught in possession of heroin with a street value of
around UKP250,000.

The Crown intends to seize assets, including cash, cars, a house, and
jewellery worth a similar amount.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry