Minister hits out at SNP snub of drugs initiative

A TORY minister has criticised efforts to cut Scotland’s “eye-watering” drug deaths toll as he urged the SNP to sign up to a UK Government crackdown.

Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said he has been left “frustrated” and “mystified” by the Holyrood government’s refusal to back Project Adder.

The £59 million pilot scheme involves greater co-ordination between agencies as police target dealers while local authorities and health services focus on addressing addictions.

It was launched in January 2021 and was named “Adder” because it focuses on addiction, diversion, disruption, enforcement and recovery.

Mr Malthouse urged Scotland’s Drug Policy Minister Angela Constance to join the initiative.

However, the Scottish Government suggested the scheme was too focused on “ineffective” police crackdowns.

The number of drug deaths in Scotland has been declared a public health emergency, with recent rates recorded at some three-and-a-half times the figure for the UK as a whole, and also higher than any other European country.

Mr Malthouse highlighted the “tragic and eye-watering” toll of drug deaths north of the border, as he urged the SNP-Green government to sign up to Project Adder.

He said: “I really don’t understand why they won’t just give it a try.

“We think we have a formula that works, that has shown really good signs in some of the hotspots in England.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “Project Adder’s focus remains enforcement-led and there is much evidence which highlights the harm and ineffective nature of crackdowns.

“To transform lives we are utilising serious and sustained investment, expanding residential rehabilitation services, embedding treatment service standards and increasing the number of people in treatment.”

A DUNDEE painter and decorator who was caught trying to break into a customer’s home said it was all part of an elaborate “prank”.

Brian Taylor thought his victim Graham Telford would find it funny to return home and find that someone had broken in.

The 44-year-old told police Mr Telford was his friend and he had permission to enter his property in Clova Road, Kirriemuir.

But Mr Telford told investigators he had no idea who Taylor was.

Forfar Sheriff Court heard concerned neighbours raised the alarm when they spotted Taylor trying to open a window of a ground floor property.

He was earlier seen pushing buzzers at the block of flats and peering into living room and bedroom windows.

Taylor then walked to his vehicle, climbed inside and came out with a change of clothes including a snood-style mask around his face.

Fiscal depute Jill Drummond said: “He then went to the kitchen window and attempted to gain