Claim sales via internet on the rise

The use of online deliveries to supply cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy has accelerated during the coronavirus crisis, it has been claimed.

Prof Matheson said accessing illegal substances through social media was becoming increasingly common as dealers delivered and posted drugs during the lockdown.

When Scotland went into lockdown, the taskforce observed an initial reduction in the supply of drugs but by May activity in the illicit trade had got back “to normal”.

Prof Matheson said there had been a “short-term impact” on supply but dealers had found “other ways” to distribute drugs.

“We know more people get drugs through the post now.

“You can access illegal drugs very quickly and very easily and get them delivered to your door through online access.

“Sites get taken down quickly once they are identified but they just keep moving around and change their name.”

When asked if the coronavirus pandemic had accelerated drugs supply through online deliveries, she said: “I would say it was there before and certainly in terms of some of the stimulant drugs I think it probably has.”

Another big concern was the increased use of crack cocaine and so-called street benzodiazepines (also known as street valium), which is very cheap and used in large quantities.

Prof Matheson said it was thought that the poor quality of heroin in Scotland had contributed to the increased use of those drugs.

Her task force believed people were turning to cocaine and benzodiazepines to compensate for the lack of drug-induced “buzz” from inferior heroin.

“The quality of drugs in Scotland seems to be pretty poor, particularly heroin.

“That’s one of the reasons we suspect – but we are still gathering data on it – that people use a range of drugs.

“So, there is a lot more crack cocaine use. And a lot more use of these street benzodiazepines, which is a big, big concern.”