Commenting on official figures published today (Tuesday) showing that in 2006 more than 55,000 individuals were misusing drugs in Scotland and that the associated economic and social costs amounted to nearly £3.5 billion, Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Robert Brown MSP said:

"Drug abuse is Scotland's shame. Just last week the Liberal Democrats revealed that prosecutions for the possession of illegal drugs have sky rocketed across the country in the last decade.

"These latest figures show for the first time the full extent of the staggering cost of drug abuse in Scotland.

"Some 55,000 drug abusers are costing Scotland nearly £3.5 billion a year. This is more than a quarter of the Scottish Government's 2009-10 health budget and nearly three times the justice budget.

“Drug use blights the lives of users, their families and communities. A twin track approach is vital if we are to rid Scotland of the scourge of drug addiction.

"We must cut demand by prevention through prosecution of drug pushers who prey on the vulnerable in society.

"There also needs to be a proper support structure in place so that rehabilitation of drug addicts can offer a path back to a fulfilling role in society.

"Scotland already has world class rehabilitation facilities such as Castle Craig hospital in Peebleshire. On my recent visit there, however, senior staff were seriously concerned about the number of beds lying empty.

"Ministers must explain why when we have the facilities for rehabilitation in Scotland, many drug abusers still are not getting the treatment they need."

Ends.

Notes to Editors:
In 2009-10 the Scottish Government's budget for health spending was £11.08 billion and the budget for justice was £1.18 billion.
Assessing the Scale and Impact of Illicit Drug Markets in Scotland has estimated that around £1.4 billion was spent on illicit drugs in Scotland in 2006, and that the associated economic and social costs amounted to a total of nearly £3.5 billion.
The National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland has estimated that 55,328 individuals, aged 15-64, were misusing opiates and benzodiazepines in Scotland in 2006.