It is just one day in one court, in one town. And it’s all about drugs

It was just one day – Wednesday, August 4 – in one court – Sheriff – in one town - Hamilton – but it could have been any court on any day in any town. There may have been no drugs in court but they were all over the charges.

Almost a dozen lawyers that day highlighted drugs as being at the root of their client’s offending. Out of 22 cases called, 13 would be linked to drug use or addiction.

First up, a tyre fitter admitted robbery and possession of a blade in March this year. His lawyer said he could not remember anything of the incident because of his abuse of street drugs and now wanted to make right his wrongs.

Next up, a woman wearing a face mask shuffled into the dock to admit possessing £500 worth of ecstasy and £100 of cocaine. The court heard she freely told police officers she had “Mandy”, slang for the Class A drug, as well as cocaine at her home in Bellshill, Lanarkshire, in December. Sentence was deferred for reports but the 52-year-old was told that she would be assessed for a drug treatment programme.

A habitual shoplifter appeared next to admit stealing from Asda. His lawyer told the court his tracksuited client’s life had been blighted by drugs and was in a vicious circle of offending. He had completed a drug programme in the past but had returned to the same old habits.

The sheriff placed him under supervision for a year and encouraged him to seek out help through social workers to break his habit.

He was replaced in the dock by another man accused of shoplifting. His lawyer highlighted a historic problem with drug abuse and said his client had successfully completed a drug programme in the past. He was granted bail to appear at a later date. Another gaunt man appeared from custody to admit possessing street valium.

His lawyer said he was begging to be put on a drug treatment and testing order to try to stop his repeat offending.

The weary-looking sheriff deferred sentence for him to be assessed for the programme but warned the accused any drug programme would be intensive and require full commitment.

He nodded from the dock: “Yes, your honour, I mean it.”