Surge in cocaine use over last five years

Cocaine use in Scotland has soared in the past five years, new figures show, while heroin has seen a sustained fall.

The Scottish drugs misuse database has shown a 14% increase between 2015-16 and 2019-20 in cocaine and crack cocaine among users who reported taking drugs in the past month, making it the second most popular main drug in Scotland, behind heroin.

Between 2006-07 and 2015-16, cocaine was the main drug of between 5% and 8% of users, but that figure rose to 21% in the most recent year.

Reported use of heroin as a main drug among those under the age of 25 has also dropped significantly, from 58% in 2006-07 to just 18% in 2019-20, according to the figures.

The database also found the age of users coming forward for specialist treatment was growing, with 29% over the age of 35 in 2006-07, compared to 54% in 2019-20.

The figures come as doctors in Scotland have called for serious consideration to be given to decriminalising drugs to address Scotland’s growing problem with drug deaths.

A report published by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh also pushed for work to be done by the Scottish and UK Governments to counter the socio-economic issues related to problem drug use.

Professor Angela Thomas, the acting president of the college, said: “Our report proposes some key interventions which can be taken now including the introduction of a drugs consumption room, and a heroin-assisted treatment programme in all major centres in Scotland as we see already at the Glasgow pilot scheme.”

The under-pressure head of the Crown Office has defended the way it has handled Alex Salmond’s inquiry evidence as a “vindication of democracy”.

Lord Advocate James Wolffe took aim at “baseless” allegations that the Crown Office had intervened in the Holyrood probe to protect the Scottish Government, saying it was “wholly without foundation” to suggest there had been any “improper” conduct.

He also argued that it was “wrong” to say his various roles could not be carried out with integrity, amid questions over the ability of the lord advocate to be both the head of the prosecution service and the government’s top legal officer.

Yesterday, Mr Wolffe was recalled to the committee investigating the government’s handling of allegations against Mr Salmond, just days after the former first minister had called on him to consider his position during an explosive evidence session.

A huge row erupted last week after the Scottish Parliament redacted part of Mr Salmond’s evidence a day after it had been published, following legal concerns raised by the Crown Office due to issues related to potential contempt of court.

The committee has also been forced to use special powers to try to obtain evidence from the Crown Office.

Mr Wolffe told the committee: “Any suggestion, from any quarter, that the Crown’s decision-making has at any time been influenced by irrelevant considerations, or improper motivations, would be wholly without foundation.

“Insinuations or assertions to the contrary are baseless.

“Can I say absolutely that the Crown is not party, would not be party, to any improper conduct.”

Mr Wolffe highlighted the “frustration” expressed about the legal restrictions in the case, but said they served an “important public purpose”.