The number of people using crack cocaine has risen

Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry said the slight rise - reported among those attending drug services - was a sign that there was no room for complacency.

But he said an 8% increase in the number of drug users seeking treatment was a sign of "real progress".

The Scottish Drug Misuse Database statistics said 12,600 new people began using the services over the last year.

The number of people who said they had injected drugs in the previous month fell from 41% to 37%, while the number of under-20s who said they had never injected rose from 62% to 72%.

Sterile equipment

More than a third of those injecting drugs said that they had shared needles in the previous month - a slight rise on the previous year.

Mr Henry said such equipment could be contaminated with hepatitis and other lethal blood-borne viruses.

"We already provide sterile equipment for those who are determined to inject, despite the extremely serious risks to their health, but we need to persuade more people not to inject for their own good and to head off a potentially significant burden to the NHS in future years," he said.

I am encouraged that over 12,600 new people attended drug services last year - around 1,000 more than for the previous year Hugh Henry Deputy Justice Minister

While the proportion of heroin users fell by 5% to 71%, cocaine use rose by 1% to 8%.

Crack cocaine use was unchanged at 3%, although the number of individuals using the drug rose from 312 to 382.

Mr Henry said: "The increase in cocaine and crack use among people attending services is slight, but these dangerous drugs are becoming more prevalent in Scotland.

"That's a wake up call for everyone and there is certainly no room for complacency."

He stressed that Scotland's drug services were doing "excellent work" in helping "some of the most vulnerable and chaotic people in our society".

Health improvements

Mr Henry said the statistics showed that the Scottish Executive was making solid progress towards its key objectives.

He added: "We know that getting people with drug problems into treatment can reduce levels of illegal drug use and dangerous injecting, reduce offending, and deliver health improvements for individuals.

"That's why I am encouraged that over 12,600 new people attended drug services last year - around 1,000 more than for the previous year.