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{mosimage} Experts yesterday criticised a report that questions the use of methadone in drug abuse treatment and claims it helps fewer than 4% of heroin users kick their habit.

Professor Neil McKeganey, professor of drugs misuse research at Glasgow University, said that only 3.4% of drug users on methadone remained drug-free after three years. Residential rehabilitation has a higher success rate, he said.

He said: “If all you are doing is getting 3% of people off drugs after three years, you may say that it is a cheaper programme than residential rehabilitation, but is it justified when it gets so few people off?”

Dundee is beating national targets for reducing youth crime. A report to the city council’s social work committee on Monday highlights youth justice work for 2005-06 and the efforts that are being made to reduce youth crime in the city.

Six offers have been tabled for an axed north-east care home. The for sale signs went up at the Rose Innes property in Aberchirder in the summer after it became the first casualty of an Aberdeenshire Council review of its residential services for the elderly.

The British Medical Association (BMA) will today (Tuesday 31 October 2006) tell the Scottish Parliament’s Health Committee that plans to introduce direct elections to health boards will do nothing to improve consultation among the public. Speaking in advance of his appearance before the Committee, as part of its consideration of the Direct Elections to Health Board Bill, Dr Dean Marshall, Chairman the BMA’s Scottish GP committee, outlined the reasons why the BMA opposes the Bill.