HEROIN TREATMENT AT RECORD LEVELS

The number of people treated for heroin addiction in Scotland has
reached record levels, according to figures.

About 21,000 people are now said to use heroin substitute methadone -
10% more than previously thought - with a third of them caring for
children under 16.

The statistics are contained in a series of reports published by the
Scottish government.

A review was ordered after the death of toddler Derek Doran.
Ministers have backed the continued use of the drug.

Derek died after drinking methadone he found in his home two weeks
after his second birthday.

Put simply, involvement in a methadone programme means an addict no
longer needs to inject drugs Dr Harry Burns Scotland's chief medical
officer Send us your views

Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing has promised improved services
to help more methadone users back into drug-free lives.

He said: "It is clear that methadone does have an important part to
play in tackling heroin addiction. The benefits it can bring in terms
of harm reduction are well established.

"Methadone can stabilise chaotic lives and has a positive impact on
the lives of many people who are treated with it. Experts have
concluded that it is entirely appropriate for methadone to be the
major element of the treatment available for opiate dependency.

"The report makes clear that there are, however, areas of concern
about the use of methadone. Tackling those areas is a key priority for us.

"That means improving service delivery; improving consistency of
provision; and, above all, improving integration of methadone
treatment with the extra support needed to achieve the ultimate goal
of recovery from addiction."

Review Findings

21,000 receiving methadone in the community 10,500 consume methadone
under daily supervision 7,000 on methadone look after children under
16 Methadone viewed as most cost effective treatment

Mr Ewing said that drug treatment needs to be "more than a
prescription service".

"Methadone must come with genuine rehabilitation to help addicts find
a route out of drugs," he added.

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Harry Burns, said the benefits
of methadone were considerable and should not be understated.

He said: "Injecting drug users put themselves at significant risk of
contracting blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis C from sharing
injecting equipment.

"Bacterial infections from non-sterile equipment are also common, as
is vascular damage arising from long-term drug use.

"Put simply, involvement in a methadone treatment programme means a
drug addict no longer needs to inject drugs."

'One-trick-pony'

Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie told the BBC's Good
Morning Scotland programme that she welcomed the fact that figures on
methadone usage were finally being compiled.

She said: "Methadone has to be one of the range of options and I have
always held that view.

"What I criticised the last Scottish Executive for was the complete
dearth of thinking about having other options available.

"It became a one-trick-pony. It was methadone virtually or nothing
whereas I think there is a place for a range of options, particularly
rehabilitation."

Labour justice spokeswoman Margaret Curran said: "There are serious
implications for methadone dependent addicts and any efforts to
address Scotland's drug problems with this treatment must be part of
a wider solution that educates, supports and rehabilitates addicts
and their families.

"I expect the SNP executive to look at these reports closely and put
together a detailed strategy which addresses all of the challenges
facing Scotland's drug users."