Pubdate: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 Source: Scotsman (UK) Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 2001 Contact: http://www.scotsman.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406 Author: Frank Urquhart OIL RICHES LEADING TO WEALTHY ADDICTS THE prosperity of Europe's oil capital has led to a massive upsurge in the use of cocaine, heroin and other hard drugs among Aberdonians, it was revealed yesterday. Drug agency workers are increasingly concerned that the number of wealthy addicts seeking help through normal channels may represent only the tip of an iceberg of drug addiction among Aberdeen's big-earners. The fears about the scale of drug abuse among the affluent population have been highlighted in a new draft strategy published by the Aberdeen City Drug Action Team. It reveals that one of the major problems facing workers in assessing the true extent of the city's drug scourge is the fact that many drug abusers may be seeking help from the private sector, rather than through community-based and government services. The strategy states: "There is widespread recognition that Aberdeen has a substantial drug problem, which can be damaging not only to individuals and their families, but also the wider community. Not only do these communities suffer from the deaths and health problems caused by drugs, but they also feel the effects of crime from drug misuse." The report continues: "Drug use is often associated with poverty and social exclusion, but this can be misleading. Aberdeen is rightly seen as a prosperous city and yet has the third-largest rate of drug-related offences of local authority areas in Scotland. "The profile of users in Aberdeen also reflects this affluence, with a relatively large population of drug users in employment, highlighting the importance of drug issues in the workplace. "In more affluent communities within the city, the prevalence of this problem can be hidden. Our recognised data systems do not reflect individuals who access private healthcare." Grahame Cronkshaw, the substance abuse policy manager for NHS Grampian, told The Scotsman that almost 50 per cent of the city's drug addicts who seek help through the NHS were in employment. Twenty-one per cent were in long-term employment and 27 per cent had been employed for less than a year, compared with 9 and 11 per cent in Glasgow, and 11 and 12 per cent in Edinburgh. The figure is even higher in Aberdeenshire, with 34 per cent of addicts in long-term employment and 29 per cent employed less than one year. Mr Cronkshaw said: "We have a high level of people in employment, although some of that employment may be very casual and of a very low skill base. "But what we don't know about are those who are not coming through the NHS system and are going into private health care. "We have very little data on them. There may be people in very good jobs, living in affluent areas of the city, who are receiving private treatment." Mr Cronkshaw continued: "Drugs affect all parts of the social spectrum. It particularly affects those that have no job and no stable home and nothing to fight back with once they are down. If you are a famous footballer or film star with drug problems you can go off to Barbados for months and relax. But you can't do that if you stay in Mastrick." Stan Smith, the assistant director of social work with Aberdeen City Council, agreed there could be a hidden population of well-heeled drug addicts within the city. He said: "It is difficult to get any handle on the actual numbers. "But what is unusual about Aberdeen is that, relatively speaking, there is a higher percentage of drug users in employment than is the case in other areas of Scotland. "That is linked to the high levels of employment and the relative affluence of the city. "There are people who are taking drugs but also holding down good jobs. It is the same with alcohol." Mr Smith added: "The problem we face is that, because they are not coming into the system, it is very hard to deal with the problem." - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake