TESTS REVEAL HIGH LEVELS OF HEROIN USE IN SCOTTISH JAILS

Heroin use in Scottish prisons is running at more than three times the
rate in English and Welsh prisons, according to the results of random
drugs tests, writes Jenny Booth.

A total of 13 per rent of Scottish prisoners are testing positive for
opiates, compared to 4 per cent south or the Border. Nearly half of
the inmates caught taking drugs in Scottish prisons - 44 per cent -
have opiates in their bloodstream.

The chief executive of the Scottisb Prison Service. Eddie Frizzell,
put the high results down to a reflection of the heroin problems
outside prison. But politicians and drug experts said that the figures
were a major concern and called for action.

Roseanna Cunningham, the justice spokeswoman for the Scottish National
Party, said: "If drug users' addictions are not addressed openly in
prison than there is little wonder there is the demand to sustain a
flourishing black market.

"We clearly have a very real problem which must be
addressed"

David Macauley, the director Scotland Against Drugs, was perturbed
that the prison service appeared to accept that prisoners took drugs.

"These are highly controlled environments, yet we seem incapable of
enforcing a basic drug-free environment."

Mr Frizzell said the prison service would tackle the problem by
continuing with mandatory drug testing.

Checked-by: "Rich O'Grady"