About 50,000 people in Scotland have a drugs problem

About 50,000 people in Scotland have a drugs problem but the Scottish Drugs Forum has claimed that figure could be dramatically reduced in 20 years time.

It said more money must be invested to help at-risk young people.

At a conference in Stirling, experts have called for more specialist workers.

They are particularly keen to see more help given to children living with family members who use drugs.

They also want more services to address emotional and social deprivation in childhood, as well as more alternatives to a life of drug abuse such as training courses and opportunities for employment.

According to the latest figures, more than a third of Scottish 15-year-olds and 13% of 13-year-olds said they had used drugs.

'Desperate need'

Stewart Stevenson MSP, the Scottish National Party's deputy justice spokesman, said: "The figures speak for themselves and clearly underline the fact that we must raise our game so as many people as possible are given the opportunity to kick the habit.

"We must also ensure that a range of options is available to suit the different needs of different addicts. We cannot allow another generation of Scots to fall into drug addiction."

The Scottish Socialist Party welcomed the forum's call for increased funding.

MSP Rosemary Byrne said: "I have been arguing for community-based drug rehabilitation centres for some time and there is a desperate need in many communities for such facilities.

"The SSP supports the creation of 5,000 apprenticeships and investment in further education to open up greater training opportunities, factors which can help divert young people away from drug abuse.

"We also support the prescription of heroin for existing addicts, a move which has lowered the number of new addicts as well as vastly reducing drug deaths and crime when tried in the UK and overseas."