Drugs workers in the north east of Scotland are battling to cope with a "spiralling problem" of crack cocaine addiction.

Janice Jess, co-ordinator of Grampian Addiction Problems Service (Gaps), said it was too late to stop the rise in cases as the Scottish Executive launched an action plan.

She added that executive figures for the number of addicts were conservative because most addicts did not seek treatment.

However, Deputy Justice Minister, Dr Richard Simpson, promised that measures would be introduced to address a problem which was still nowhere near as serious as in England and Wales.

Lack of action has led to this spiralling drug problem and it's running away from us

Dr Richard Simpson, Gaps

Speaking ahead of the minister's announcement, Ms Jess said: "In 1998 we only had one client who was experimenting with crack cocaine to now something like 300 who are using it in conjunction with heroin.

"Given that Grampian has a very high number of injecting drug users, we're also seeing a few of these users starting to try to inject crack cocaine, which means we've got a major problem here that needs to be tackled and we need action on it now."

However, she added: "I'm quite happy about the fact that (the executive) has commissioned research but when you don't want to do anything sometimes the best way to delay doing anything is to commission research."

"Lack of action has led to this spiralling drug problem and it's running away from us."

'Not complacent'

Ms Jess cast doubt on the official figures because she said users often failed to seek treatment initially because of the highly addictive nature of the drug

It was only later on, when it had ravaged its victims that they sought assistance.

Dr Simpson stressed that of the 55,000 known drug misusers in Scotland, less than 1,000 were known to be cocaine users.

Dr Richard Simpson: New series of measures

However, he insisted ministers were "not complacent" about the problem.

He said: "We want to try to get in place and tackle the problem as it develops, rather than facing a massive outbreak which has happened in some of the English cities.

"We need to train people in the field properly, and we're going to do that

"We're going to support them in ensuring that these users do have the proper support to ensure that they don't start.

Advisory committee

"Cocaine is a very dangerous drug, crack cocaine is an extremely dangerous drug, and people who experiment with that drug do so at their peril."

The report was commissioned by the Executive's Scottish Advisory Committee on Drug Misuse, which is chaired by Dr Simpson.

It decided last year that in light of the experience south of the border, a study should be carried out in Scotland into the number of people using amphetamines, cocaine and crack.

The report shows that since 1997, the number of people getting treatment for crack use has gone up from 75 to 273.

Police seizures have also risen from 0.25kg in 1997 to 25kg .