The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Campaigner warns drug services not prepared for Tayside crack epidemic.
Support group founder believes treatment provision is focused on heroin – not crack
A leading anti-drugs campaigner has warned recovery services in Dundee are not prepared to respond to the city’s “crack epidemic”.
Sharon Brand, a former heroin user who beat her addiction and founded Recovery Dundee to help others, said crack has become a growing problem in the city.
A report to go before councillors today from Police Scotland chief superintendent Andrew Todd warns violent criminals are now pushing the drug on Tayside.
He said thugs are using violence and intimidation to take over people’s homes in order to use them as safe houses – so-called “cuckooing”.
Ms Brand said: “Two years ago, I warned the drugs services about this.
“All the drug services in Dundee are set up to treat people with opiate addictions, not crack. The whole focus of the Dundee Drugs Commission and the report was on opiate treatment and there is no provision to support people with crack.”
Ms Brand said Recovery Dundee has already been working with people who have been using crack, a highly addictive form of cocaine that is usually smoked.
She added: “I have already supported someone coming off crack in just the past couple of weeks.
“It is everywhere in the drugs community. Every person I used drugs with is using crack.
“It is young people who start off using cocaine and it escalates from there.”
Ms Brand said she has seen “cuckooing” first-hand. “I know about two guys from Birmingham who came to Dundee and basically took over someone’s flat until we got together and had them removed,” she continued.
“The police have been brilliant but we have got a few people who have been targeted.
“This happens all the time. “Crack is an epidemic just now. Dealers are making a fortune off it.”
Ms Brand said the behaviour of people on crack, and the damage it causes, is different to those using heroin.
Kevin Cordell, convener of Dundee City Council’s community safety and public protection committee, said: “I think the old adage that no one knows what goes on behind closed doors is particularly apt regarding cuckooing and this report will come as a shock to many folk.
“I think it is also important that we know what Dundee City Council is doing to ensure that – as the city’s largest housing provider – that neither our tenants nor our properties are being exploited.”