DEALERS' CASH WILL HELP DRUG ADDICTS

SCOTLAND is to be allowed to keep half of the money confiscated from drug
dealers to spend on anti-drugs measures, in the first arrangement of its
kind in the UK.

Until now all money recovered from drug dealers has been sent to the
Treasury in London. Holyrood ministers have struck a deal to use some of
the confiscated assets to help drug addicts to build new lives and to fund
education schemes.

It was announced yesterday that, under the new arrangement, UKP250,000 has
been earmarked for a scheme to tackle drug addiction among homeless people
in Glasgow.

Jack McConnell, First Minister, announced the Treasury deal during a visit
to Livingston police station, where he saw examples of assets seized from
drug dealers. He said that he was determined to see the illegal gains of
dealers put to better use.

The Scottish National Party said that while the scheme was welcome, the
Executive's anti-drugs measures were limited because half of the seized
assets were still going to the Treasury.

Under the scheme, Scottish charities will also be able to bid for money
from the Recovered Assets Fund, which is run by the Home Office from
confiscated cash.

Mr McConnell added that the Proceeds of Crime Bill, going through
Westminster and the Scottish Parliament, would strengthen confiscation
powers. The Bill includes plans for a new power of civil recovery, a UK
agency to tax suspected criminal assets and to close loopholes in laws on
money laundering. Suspected and convicted dealers would have to prove in
court that they obtained their assets legally.

The proposals are expected to be approved in the House of Commons but the
Lords may try to water them down.

The Scottish Executive yesterday officially announced its new strategy to
fight drug use, with more resources devoted to telling people about the
risks of drug taking and the help available for addicts and their families.
Dr Richard Simpson, Deputy Justice Minister, said authoritarian messages
were not effective in persuading young people not to take drugs.