RECREATIONAL drug users in Scotland who want to cut back aren’t getting the right help, according to the latest Global Drugs Survey.

More than 120,000 people from 50 nations have contributed to the study, including 708 people in Scotland.

Analysis by the Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF) of that subsample, suggests 30 per cent of cannabis users and 36 per cent of cocaine users would like to use less. Others say they would like treatment to help them take less.

This, the SDF say, is why the survey shows Scots are more likely to seek emergency department treatment for cocaine, MDMA and alcohol than in the rest of the UK.

Strict drugs laws mean there is very little “harm reduction” available, rather it’s more geared towards prohibition, and that means drug users are unlikely to access mainstream treatment and perhaps more likely to utilise emergency services.

Scotland also has higher rates of consumption of illegal drugs than the global average, with the top three drugs of the choice in the last 12 months being cannabis, MDMA and cocaine.

But again, the most dangerous drug for Scots is alcohol. Scotland has, the SDF say, significantly higher levels of people reporting hazardous drinking scores than the global averages for both men and women.

David Liddell, chief executive officer of Scottish Drugs Forum said: “The Global Drug Survey gives a useful insight in to the range and levels of drugs used in Scotland by people who often do not engage with drug treatment services.

“This report highlights the gap in service provision for people who would like to cut down their use of cocaine or cannabis in Scotland and reinforces other research about Scotland’s relationship with problematic alcohol use.

“The majority of drug services have developed in Scotland to respond to opiate use and whilst of course this continues to be our main problem, it does suggest that people seeking help with their use of other drugs find it difficult to access the appropriate help and support. This is evidenced by higher use of emergency services for alcohol, cocaine and MDMA and suggests a continued need to offer harm reduction advice and information to this population.”

In the rest of the UK, the survey showed that the purity of drugs being taken has greatly increased. This has lead to a doubling of the number of UK cocaine users being admitted to A&E in the last two years.

There have also been hikes in the number of people buying drugs off the so-called darknet, and a jump in the number of people experimenting with psychedelics.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our latest figures show that drug taking in the general adult population is falling and that levels of drug-taking among young people remain low.

“Irrespective of the substance, people should be able to access a service appropriate to their needs. That is why Alcohol and Drug Partnerships must undertake needs assessments in their area and commission services to meet those needs.

“We will continue to invest resources in education and prevention activity, including the Choices for Life schools-based substance misuse programme and Know the Score, a web resource offering credible and impartial advice on drugs and their risks.”