By Chris Green
People living in remote, small towns in Scotland are increasingly likely to see drug misuse or dealing taking place in their neighbourhoods.
The trend is highlighted in a report published by the Scottish Government into its ‘national mission’ to cut the nation’s high numbers of drug-related deaths.
Figures cited in the report show that only 16 per cent of adults living in remote, small towns described drug misuse or dealing as “common” in their area in 2021.
However, the most recent figures for 2023 reveal that this proportion has now risen to 24 per cent, which the report describes as a “notable increase”.
By contrast, there has been no significant increase in drug misuse or dealing recorded by people living in large urban areas. In 2023, only 18 per cent said it was commonly seen.
The report states the trend “could be reflective of a number of developments in behaviours amongst both those selling or using drugs, as well as perceptions and attitudes to drug use”.
In recent years, Police Scotland has stepped up its efforts to clamp down on so-called ‘county lines’ drug dealers, in common with other forces around the UK.
The term refers to drug dealers from big cities who expand their criminal activity into smaller communities, often exploiting young and vulnerable people in the process.
Local residents can be recruited to sell drugs, carry cash and weapons. The dealers also sometimes take over someone’s house to use as a base, a process known as ‘cuckooing’.
During the most recent county lines crackdown at the end of last year, Police Scotland visited 79 addresses, of which 25 were believed to be used as cuckooing houses.
A total of 60 men and 21 women were arrested, with more than £180,000 of heroin, £120,000 of crack cocaine, and £22,000 of cocaine seized.
Synthetic opioids, ketamine, mixing agents and more than £60,000 in cash were also recovered, as well as weapons including a machete, an axe, four lock knives, and two bottles of corrosive substance.
Scottish Conservative Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain told 1919: “These findings echo what people have been telling me over recent years – the drug problem is getting worse, and it’s not just in the big cities.
“No-one’s pretending rural towns and villages have always been drug free. But the extent to which it’s a problem has definitely increased, and with fewer police officers around, it seems dealers and suppliers are carrying out their activities with abandon.
“County lines is clearly a problem for the north of Scotland, but an overall erosion of the rule of law, a soft-touch approach from the Scottish Government, and brutal lack of resources are all contributing.
“For people in rural areas, it’s a serious concern and is having a major impact on quality of life and the overall state of communities.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Our officers are removing drugs from communities right across Scotland day in, day out.
“Working with the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and other partners and agencies locally, nationally and internationally, Police Scotland has a track record of dismantling organised crime groups and holding those who deal in death and misery to account.
“At the same time, we continue to play a contributory role in supporting those affected by addiction, including training and equipping all operational officers with the life-saving nasal spray naloxone.”
Health Secretary Neil Gray said record levels of funding for alcohol and drugs programmes were “protected” in the Scottish Government’s budget.
“We want every person experiencing harm from drug use to be able access the support they need and through our national mission on drugs we are taking a wide range of evidence-based measures to reduce harm and save lives,” he added.
“These include opening the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility pilot, working towards the opening of drug-checking facilities, and widening access to residential rehab and life-saving naloxone.
“Funding for more than 300 third sector and grassroots projects has also supported more than 33,000 people.
“The recent People’s Panel report recognised progress – but there is more to do. We will use this report to help us target our efforts and are already working hard to address data gaps.”