HeadLine: CRACK-DOWN PROMISE

The Mirror, 02/08/2002, p2
by SHAUN MILNE

SCOTLAND is on the verge of a crack cocaine epidemic, according to a
shocking new report.
And Deputy Justice Minister Dr Richard Simpson yesterday warned that
complacency could yet see Scotland falling victim to the curse of
crack.
As he launched a Scottish Executive report into the drug, Dr Simpson
said Scotland could not ignore the current epidemic in England because
the use of crack north of the Border had jumped by 300 per cent since
1996.
He said: “We recognise there is a growing problem and we must take
action to address it now.
“While it is clear the problem is currently relatively small compared
to the situation in England, this does not mean we can be complacent.”
Crack is a cheaper, more powerful and more addictive form of cocaine.
Users can become violent and often turn to crime to feed their habit
which can quickly spiral out of control.
And Dr Simpson insisted funding was now in place to ensure Scotland
could see off the crack threat.
He said: “We are investing £128million over the next three years in
tackling drug misuse in this area.”

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