RANDOM TESTS FORCE INCREASED USE OF HARD DRUGS

A PROMINENT Inverness drugs worker, speaking yesterday after Inverness
Caley Thistle player Richie Hart's cocaine conviction, said people
subject to random drug checks are being pushed towards harder drugs
and a rethink was needed.

Nikki Fraser, who is manager of the BLAST drugs project in Church
Street, spoke in general terms, warning of the rise in the
recreational use of class A drugs by people, like sports players, who
are subject to checks.

"People are using more class A drugs because they leave the system
more quickly," she said. "It is pushing people into other areas of
drugs use, which they may not have explored previously for fear of
being drug tested. It is something we have got to look at."

Cannabis can stay in a person's system for up to one month, but traces
of drugs like cocaine and heroin disappear within 24 and 48 hours.

"Drug testing has created another market of drugs users," Ms Fraser
said.

Hart was fined UKP300 at Inverness Sheriff Court this week after he
pleaded guilty to a charge of possession. He has been suspended from
training and playing with the club, although his future is likely to
be decided by the board of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club
next week. Yesterday Hart remained unavailable for comment.

However, there has been a mixed response to Hart's case from fans of
the Scottish Premiership club.

"Some are saying enough is enough, he has to go, and others are
saying, give him another chance," said Mairi MacLean, who is secretary
of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle supporters club.

"Some people feel sorry for him and others think he has brought it
upon himself.

"Inverness has got the reputation of being a family club. This
probably doesn't do them any favours."

Drugs worker Brian Gardner, a development officer for the Highland
Drug and Alcohol Action Team, said the midfielder's admission had sent
out a confused message.

"The football club is developing strong links with the community and
clearly the sports people concerned will inevitably be seen as role
models," he said. "From our perspective, this particular case sends
out a mixed message, which can only serve to confuse rather than
assist progress towards encouraging young people not to use drugs and
alcohol, particularly in harmful ways."

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon, who is a member
of the cross-party group in the Scottish Parliament on drug and
alcohol misuse, said the highly-respected player had an important
decision to make.

"He can bury his head in the sand, get sacked and go from hero to zero
and his career would be finished, just like the St Jonstone player
George O'Boyle (who was sacked following drug-taking allegations five
years ago)," she said.

"His second choice would be to admit he was wrong, apologise to the
club and the fans and take responsibility as a role model and get
support for any drug issues he may have."

Hart joined the Inverness club in 2002 from Highland League team Brora
Rangers, having previously played for Ross County.