Heroin is considered a major problem

The Paisley death is the 104th believed to be related to drugs in the Strathclyde Police area this year.

And it is feared that the death toll in Strathclyde could be much higher as police are waiting for the results of toxicology tests in another 44 cases where there was evidence of drug use.

Ministers are determined to reduce what Strathclyde Police Chief Constable John Orr described as a "tragic toll".

The executive has already announced more than �100m for a three-pronged approach targeting enforcement, treatment and education.

Rise in arrests

Now ministers are setting targets to see if that strategy is working.

Drug seizures are expected to rise by 25% in three years, with a similar rise in the number of arrests for supplying drugs.

Targets are also to be set for harm reduction, including the 25% fall in the number of deaths by 2005.

The aim is to see 20% fewer users sharing needles and a 10% rise in the number of addicts contacting treatment services each year.

Deputy Justice Minister, Iain Gray, said: "The important thing is the balance. What we have to do is to try and reduce the availability of drugs but also reduce the market by helping people.

Iain Gray: Seeking balanced approach

"Firstly not to get involved with drugs in the first place but secondly to help those who are and want to get off drugs and get back into building a positive life for themselves."

The steps have received a cautious welcome from drugs workers.

But David Bryce of the rehabilitation group Calton Athletic said the move followed years of government inaction which had seen 1200 drugs-related deaths in the past six years.

In Strathclyde alone, drugs with an estimated street value of more than �7m have been recovered by police this year.

In addition, 20kg of drugs, believed to be heroin with a possible street value of up to �20m, were seized internationally involving officers from the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency.