Local Labour politicians have said that there is “no room for complacency” on drugs misuse, as new figures show that the prevalence of drugs abuse in Dumfries and Galloway has fallen in recent years as a result of “the hard work and dedication of local organisations and charities”.

However, the politicians say that the SNP Government’s decision to cut the drugs misuse budget by £2.4 million over three years risks removing support programmes and causing the drugs problem to increase again.

Dumfries and Galloway Labour Group Leader Cllr Ronnie Nicholson said:

“While drugs misuse isn’t as high in Dumfries and Galloway as in more urban areas, our region is still in the top half of local authorities with problems. Everyone of these statistics hides a sad story and drugs abuse wrecks not only the individual’s life, but throws families into turmoil. The prevalence of drug misuse in our area has come down slightly in the last few years thanks to the hard work and dedication of local organisations and charities but there is no room for complacency.”

Dumfries and Galloway MP Russell Brown said:

“The SNP Government’s decision to cut the drugs misuse budget by £2.4 million risks removing support programmes that help to tackle the drugs problem that plights so many lives. During these tough economic times we cannot walk away from the problem of drug abuse, and the SNP Government needs to wake up to the scale of the damage their cuts will do.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Estimated prevalence of problem drug use in Dumfries and Galloway council area -

2006: 1.55%
2009/10: 1.40%

Source: http://www.drugmisuse.isdscotland.org/publications/abstracts/prevalence2009_10.htm