SHOCK RISE IN DRUG DEATHS

DRUG deaths in Paisley and surrounding towns have reached a record
high, a shocking new report has revealed.

The frightening statistics, released by the Scottish Government, show
that 17 users in Renfrewshire lost their lives after taking deadly
doses last year.

It marks a worrying upward trend for the Paisley area, with almost
three times the number of victims in 2006 compared to a decade earlier.

A total of 98 drug deaths have now been recorded in Renfrewshire
since 1998, with a 70 per cent hike in fatalities last year in
comparison to 2005.

The figures were revealed after a written parliamentary question was
submitted by West of Scotland MSP Jackson Carlaw.

He described the increase in drug deaths locally as "both depressing
and chilling."

Mr Carlaw said: "Each death represents a life needlessly lost and a
family left in unnecessary anguish.

"Unfortunately, we are now reaping the outcome of the former Scottish
Executive's policy of appeasement.

"It claimed that a war on drugs was somehow unsophisticated and
advised that a more enlightened approach of managing the problem must
be adopted.

"Well, today, we have the outcome - drug deaths are higher in all but
one West of Scotland council area and, nationally, drug deaths stand
at an all-time high.

"The situation could barely be more serious."

Mr Carlaw believes a "clear, tough, zero-tolerance strategy" is
needed to tackle drugs and drug dealers head on.

He added: "I would encourage the government to adopt this before the
problem is allowed to deteriorate further still."

In East Renfrewshire, three drug deaths were recorded last year and
there have been drug deaths in every year since 1998, with 30 victims
in total over that period.

Nationally, figures show that drug-related deaths in Scotland in 2006
were 25 per cent higher than in the previous year and up by 10 per
cent on the previous all-time high, which was recorded in 2002.