THE number of children being treated for drug abuse in the Lothians has trebled over the last five years, with Edinburgh treating more youngsters than anywhere else in Scotland.

More than 70 youngsters received treatment for drug problems from NHS services in the Lothians over the last year, compared to just 24 in 1999.

The figures are the worst in Scotland, with more cases reported in the Capital over the last year than in Glasgow, which had just 52.

And along with Fife, which has also seen drug use among under-16-year-olds treble since 1999, the Lothians has shown the biggest increase in young drug users.

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A COMPUTER game being developed in Edinburgh has caused outrage because it encourages players to make characters use drugs in order to gain special powers.

Narc, currently being developed by Edinburgh-based Vis Entertainment, is expected to be one of the most controversial games of the year.

As part of the game, players are encouraged to make characters take marijuana, LSD, crack, speed and "liquid soul" - a virtual drug created for the game.

While the game is likely to be given an 18 certificate, there is concern it will still find its way into the hands of youngsters.

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TWO policemen flanked the doors of the Purple Haze cafe in Leith at 4pm, as Scotland's first ever cannabis cafe prepared to open its doors.

The cafe had earlier been swamped with camera crews, photographers and reporters as owner Paul Stewart outlined his proposal for the cafe.

As the doors opened, around 30 prospective punters, who had gathered outside in the freezing cold, began filing in. The police handed each one a letter explaining that the possession of cannabis was still an offence.

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