Press Release
18th April 2000
Inverclyde’s £100,000 Drug Fight Boost
Community groups in Inverclyde will receive £100,000 over the next two years to combat the menace of drugs.
The cash, which comes as part of a £2 million drug fighting boost for Scotland's hardest-pressed areas, was welcomed by MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil.
"Drugs and their effects pose the greatest threat to our community today." Mr McNeil said. "On top of the misery they inflict on users and their families, drugs touch every motorist whose car stereo is stolen; every family whose house is burgled; and every grandmother who is mugged for her pension.
"Major efforts are already being made to counter drugs misuse, but we want to do more. And this welcome initiative helps us to do so.
"The new fund will give priority to family support groups, community awareness projects and action for young people. Cash grants will be available to Social Inclusion Partnerships to work with drug action teams and local communities.
"It is right to support community groups in this way – it puts local people in the driving seat as we search for solutions.
"If we are serious about tackling our most insidious and endemic social problems, we must look beyond the ‘usual suspects’ of politicians and professionals. By bringing agencies together and encouraging public involvement, we can develop proposals from the grassroots. If communities identify priorities for their area, they can be fully committed to the action which follows.
"The drugs issue cuts across our communities and Government policy must recognise this. That's why the Justice and Communities Ministers are involved together."
Deputy Justice Minister Angus MacKay, also commented on the announcement, saying:
"Our comprehensive drugs strategy has always been about more than enforcement and treatment. Just as important are working with young people and supporting community action.
"This announcement will provide much needed assistance to help communities and agencies draw up effective local strategies. Only by tackling drug misuse at its roots can we hope to defeat it in the long term."
ENDS
Notes:
1. £2m is available over two years to the 24 area-based social inclusion partnerships (SIPs). SIPs will be expected to work with drugs action teams and the local community to assess the drugs problem in the area; identify priorities for tackling it; assess what services are available; and develop proposals for an effective response.
2. The total allocation for Inverclyde in 2000-2002 is £100,000
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