Minister hails 'new era' in approach to tackling drug addictions

A NEW drugs strategy was unveiled by the Scottish Government today with an emphasis on getting people off drugs rather than managing their addiction.

Community Safety Minister Fergus Ewing hailed the strategy as a "new era" in Scotland's approach to tackling drugs, and he said it would help cut the estimated annual £2.6 billion cost of problem drug use to the Scottish economy and society.

Mr Ewing told MSPs: "Our vision is that the idea of recovery must be central to our new strategy, and the guiding purpose of all drug treatment services.

"It is the principle that more than just reducing risk and harm, services should support people to move on, towards a drug-free life, as active and contributing members of society."

The government is keen to ensure the 22,000 people in Scotland currently receiving the heroin substitute methadone are not "parked" on the treatment.

And it warns against giving in to "fatalism or drift".

Mr Ewing said: "In the past there has not been enough focus on achieving positive outcomes for people with drug problems. We must make this a priority for the future."

He also announced plans to "sharpen up" substance misuse education in schools.