A reprieve has been sought for a residential children’s unit in Dumfries which is just days away from its proposed closure date.

More must be done to help young people with the pressures of growing up, a children’s charity said yesterday. NCH made the call as it launched a campaign demanding the government ensure that Scotland’s youth have the right support.

Scottish police forces recorded a dramatic rise in drug-related deaths last year, prompting fears that substance abuse is spiralling out of control. Official figures published today reveal the number of deaths from heroin, morphine and other drugs rose to 374 in 2006, an increase of 42% on the previous year.

Gail Porter, the television presenter, yesterday spoke of her misplaced “embarrassment” at dealing with depression at the launch of a new arts festival in Glasgow which hopes to encourage debate and understanding of mental health issues.

Ken Murray, one of the pioneers of the controversial Special Unit in Barlinnie Prison which confined and helped reform a number of Scotland’s most volatile prisoners for more than 20 years has died. He was 76.

Children in care will benefit from £2.5 million in funding awarded to Scotland’s councils yesterday in a bid to secure better futures.

Police yesterday redoubled their campaign against sex slave traffickers as it emerged women from 37 countries were working in Glasgow brothels.

An exhibition of artwork by children who have lived with substance abuse or domestic violence has gone on display in Arbroath.

Strathclyde Police has been ordered to apologise to the mother of a 14-year-old boy who was held in custody for more than two days.

Inverness is facing a crisis in meeting the needs of the city’s most vulnerable homeless people, campaigners have warned.