Figures released by the Scottish Government have shown that drug seizures in Craiginches prison in Aberdeen have almost trebled in the previous three years.

Source article on Press and Journal

New figures have revealed the levels of cannabis seizures made by Scotland's police forces - a total of 130,000 cannbis plants worth £40 million have been seized over the last four years.

Source article on HeraldScotland, BBC News, Scotsman, Scottish Police Services Authority

Scotland's chief prisons inspector, Brigadier Hugh Monro, has called for a review of drug testing for Scottish prisoners when they enter and leave jail.

Source article on BBC News, Press and Journal, Scotsman, STV News

The world's largest seizure of heroin with a value of around £712 million has been seized by coalition forces in Afghanistan.

Source article on Metro

A report released this week by St George's, University of London, "Drug-related Deaths in the UK - Annual Report 2010", has revealed that "drug-related deaths reported in the UK have risen by 11.8 per cent to 2,182 in a year".

Source article on the St. George's, University of London, Telegraph

A large-scale cannabis farm has been uncovered by Strathclyde Police in Ibrox, Glasgow, thought to be worth in the region of £250,000.

Source article on BBC News

A man has been caught by police for dealing heroin during an investigation into the supply of the drug contaminated with anthrax.

Source article on BBC News

The UK Drug Policy Commission has reported the social stigma attached to drug addiction, "represents a massive obstacle to rehabilitation and recovery".

Source article on UK Drug Policy Commission press release [pdf 86 KB], Press and Journal, Scotsman , Telegraph, Guardian

In a report made to the Northern Joint Police Board, it has emerged that mephedrone is the "drug of choice with young drug takers in Orkney".

Source article on BBC News

Two people have been arrested in Perth at the weekend by Tayside police forces following seizure of heroin with an estimated street value of over £100,000.

Source article on BBC News

Second part of a two-part series on the heroin drug trail from Afghanistan to Scotland.

Source article on SundayHerald

The UK Government announced last week that it may consider ending the benefits of drug users who refuse to seek treatment for their problem as part of a new drugs strategy consultation by the Home Office.

Source article on STV News, BBC News, HeraldScotland

UK ministers have announced a one-year ban on so-called 'legal highs', in a bid to remove the drugs from circulation while a full review of their effects is carried out.

Source article on HeraldScotland, STV News

Authorities in the Netherlands are attempting to introduce a proposal to ban the use of recreational drugs by tourists in the town of Maastricht, making it a Dutch-only policy.

Source article on The Scotsman

Following the publication yesterday of figures for drug related deaths in Scotland in 2009, Community Safety Minister, Fergus Ewing, reiterated that the Scottish Government is doing all it can to tackle problem drug use in Scotland.

Source article on The Scottish Government

More media comment on the drug related deaths statistics in Scotland for 2009, released yesterday by the General Register Office for Scotland.

Source article on Scotsman, Press and Journal, see also comment from Tom Wood (Head of the Association of Scottish Alcohol and Drug Action Teams) in Scotsman

The Scottish Drugs Forum has announced that it has gained funding from the Scottish Government for a new post which will support the role-out of Naloxone training throughout Scotland.

Source article on Scottish Drugs Forum

Professor Ian Gilmore, the outgoing President of the Royal College of Physicians, has expressed his support for a review of UK drug laws and the regulation of the supply of drugs.

Source article on BBC News, Scotsman

The General Register Office for Scotland which published its report on Drug Related Deaths in Scotland in 2009, has revealed that there has been a 5 per cent decrease in the number of drug related deaths in Scotland in 2009, compared with the previous year.

Source article on General Register Office for Scotland, BBC News, HeraldScotland

The charity NSPCC has reported that more than 100 children a week have contacted the Childline helpline with concerns over their parent's drink and drug misuse.

Source article on BBC News, Scotsman

Sunday Herald feature on the heroin drug trail from Afghanistan to Scotland. First in a two-part series.

Source article on HeraldScotland

Health experts in the NHS have issued a warning over the consequences of taking the legal high party drug known as 'Ivory Wave', which could lead to nausea, vomiting, and hallucinations amongst other health problems.

Source article on NHS Lothian, BBC News, STV News, BBC News, Herald Scotland, Scotsman, The Courier, Evening Times, Evening Express

Glasgow is to be the host in Septermber 2010 for a series of events aimed at celebrating and promoting recovery from substance misuse problems.

Source article on Scottish Drugs Forum