Drugs sentencing pilot scheme should come to Aberdeen
MSP urges Government to pilot new drugs sentencing scheme in Grampian
North-East MSP Richard Baker is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure its pilot of an extension to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders come to Aberdeen
As part of its review of sentencing the Scottish Government has announced that they will pilot an extension of the Drug Treatment and Testing Order approach to a wider range of offenders, and assess whether that extension should be rolled-out more widely.
Drug Treatment and Testing Orders have been successfully used in Grampian and have been shown to be effective in tackling drugs offending. Richard Baker has also tabled a series of parliamentary questions to ask how the pilot might help Grampian. The MSP has also previously backed proposals for a Drugs Court for Aberdeen.
Richard Baker said: "There are still concerns about aspects of the Scottish Government’s plans for sentencing, but more investment in tackling drugs crime through Drug Treatment and Testing Orders is something I will support, but especially if the pilot for extending the current scheme comes to aberdeen.
"We all know too well in Aberdeen and Grampian the particular problems caused in our area by offending caused by drugs misuse. It is a scourge on far too many communities and extra investment is required to tackle it. If there is to be extra spending on tackling drugs crime then surely this part of Scotland should be identified to benefit.
"There is also an ongoing question of whether a separate Drugs Court should be established in Aberdeen, particularly as other parts of Scotland have benefited from this model. With this review of sentencing underway I hope that this proposal can be considered by the Scottish Government as part of that."