Pubdate: Tue, 10 Oct 2006
Source: Evening Telegraph (Dundee UK)
Copyright: 2006 D C Thomson & Co Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3926

MASSIVE RISE IN DUNDEE USERS

The chairman of Dundee's Drug and Alcohol Action team  said today 
there is inadequate provision to tackle  problem cocaine use in the 
city, writes Mark  McLaughlin.

As a major conference in Glasgow highlighted the need  for specialist 
treatment services to tackle the growing  problem in Scotland, Dr 
Brian Kidd said more needs to  be done at a local level.

"The figures for cocaine use are always difficult  because people 
often don't see themselves as having a  problem," said Dr Kidd.

"It's more of a recreational drug and people don't  usually present 
themselves for treatment until they  start to have really serious problems.

"When they do, services are inadequate as they are set  up for heroin users.

"Cocaine users tend to see themselves as different and  may not want 
to attend a clinic with heroin users  because of the stigma.

"However, the rise in the number of people seeking  treatment is 
probably more to do with the increased  exposure to cocaine rather 
than increasing awareness of  treatments."

There has been a massive rise in the number of people  seeking 
treatment in Dundee over the past five years.

There were 31 people receiving treatment for cocaine  addiction in 
Tayside in 2005, compared to only one in  2000. Dundee accounted for 
just over a third of these  cases.

Dr Kidd said that a more focused strategy is needed for  cocaine treatment.

He is hopeful that such a service may be forthcoming  within the next 
few months.

He added, "There is a new direct access service being  brought to 
Dundee very shortly.

"This will offer a drop-in service for all drug users,  not just 
heroin addicts, and may offer a more welcoming  environment to 
cocaine users who want help.

"The clinic is funded by the Scottish Executive and  hopefully it 
will lead to more cocaine users coming  forward for treatment and, as 
a result, lead to a  reassessment of the needs of addicts leading to 
more  focused care."
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MAP posted-by: Elaine