The First Minister has vowed to overhaul drug treatment services

He told the Scottish Drugs Conference in Dunblane that the battle against drugs needs action on the demand as well as the supply side.

Mr McConnell said every Scot who wants help to kick their habit should have the opportunity to do so.

He plans to set up a Scotland-wide network and improve existing treatment and rehabilitation services.

Mr McConnell's promise came during the second day of a conference organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos).

Father's tale

He told them treatment and rehabilitation formed part of an overall drugs strategy and other elements included enforcement and education.

I will never forget that father's face and the look in his eyes as he told me his story Jack McConnell First minister

Mr McConnell spoke of a meeting he had with an Aberdeenshire father whose heroin addict daughter had no access to treatment and rehabilitation.

He explained how the man's fear that his daughter would fall into prostitution, forced him to drive around buying heroin for her.

"I will never forget that father's face and the look in his eyes as he told me his story," said Mr McConnell.

"I want to be able to look that father and any other desperate parent in the eye and tell them we are doing all we can for Scotland's drug addicts.

"We cannot be satisfied until there are adequate treatment and rehabilitation services in all areas of the country.

"I don't want to hear of people having to travel many miles to gain access to a doctor who is willing to treat them."

Right to treatment

He said people should not feel let-down by the system even if they had let themselves and their families down with their addiction and had the right to swift and compassionate treatment and support.

But he said those who refused help and turned to crime to feed their habits must face the consequences such actions bring.

A review of rehabilitation services was launched last year and its findings are expected to be published by Easter.

All Scots will be given an opportunity to kick their habit

Mr McConnell said it would be a "root-and-branch review" and it would lead to a comprehensive improvement of drug rehabilitation services in Scotland.

On Thursday the conference heard a warning that rural areas could become a target for criminals looking to set up illegal drug laboratories.

The 200 delegates heard how thinly-populated parts of the country are seen as ideal locations by criminal gangs to set up the illegal labs where their drugs are made.

The two-day conference has been attended by members of Scotland's eight police forces, the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency (SDEA) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service.