Drug finds in Scottish prisons have increased, with the number of inmates caught with substances rising by nearly 1,000 in two years. Figures show that in 2022, 1,448 drug finds were reported, increasing to 2,188 in 2023 and 2,212 in 2024. Over the last three years, a total of 5,848 drug incidents have been recorded.

HMP Low Moss reported the highest number of offenses in 2024 with 754 incidents, followed by HMP Addiewell, HMP Edinburgh, HMP Perth, and HMP Shotts. The Scottish Tories have attributed this rise to the Scottish Government's handling of the drug crisis in prisons, citing methods like drones and drug-soaked mail as means of smuggling.

In 2024, drones were used 65 times to deliver drugs into prisons, a year in which six inmates died from overdoses. There have also been numerous hospitalizations due to drug misuse, with heroin, street valium, and cocaine being commonly abused. Paramedic call-outs for overdose emergencies have also seen a significant increase, rising by 76% in 2023/24 compared to the previous year.

The Scottish Prison Service stated that efforts are being made to combat the issue, with new security measures like grilles being installed at some facilities, at an estimated cost of £8 million. A spokesperson for the service emphasized that staff work diligently to maintain safety and security using available tools and intelligence, and collaborate with Police Scotland and other partners to address breaches.

Original article

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information for a normal person to *do* based on this article. It reports on statistics and government/prison service actions, but does not provide steps for individuals.

Educational Depth: The article provides basic facts and figures about drug finds in Scottish prisons and attributes the rise to specific smuggling methods. However, it lacks deeper educational value by not explaining the underlying causes of drug use in prisons, the effectiveness of the security measures, or the broader societal context of the drug crisis.

Personal Relevance: The topic has limited direct personal relevance for most individuals unless they have a family member in a Scottish prison or are directly involved in the justice system. It does not offer advice on personal safety, finances, or daily life choices for the general public.

Public Service Function: The article serves a limited public service function by reporting on a societal issue and the efforts being made to address it. However, it does not offer official warnings, emergency contacts, or practical tools for the public. It primarily functions as a news report.

Practicality of Advice: As there is no advice given, this point is not applicable.

Long-Term Impact: The article does not provide information or actions that would have a lasting positive impact on an individual's life. It reports on a current situation and ongoing efforts, but not on strategies for personal improvement or future planning.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article may evoke concern or a sense of unease due to the statistics on drug use, overdoses, and hospitalizations. However, it does not offer any coping mechanisms, hope, or strategies for dealing with such issues, potentially leaving the reader feeling informed but without a sense of empowerment.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not appear to use clickbait or ad-driven language. It presents factual information in a straightforward manner.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article missed opportunities to provide more value. It could have included information on how individuals can support loved ones in prison, resources for addiction support, or ways to get involved in drug prevention initiatives. For instance, it could have directed readers to the Scottish Prison Service website for more details on their security measures or to addiction support charities for information on help available.

The widespread use of substances within prison walls, as described, directly erodes the foundational duties of kin. When individuals are incapacitated by drugs, their capacity to fulfill their responsibilities to children, elders, and the community is severely diminished. This creates a void in care and protection, leaving the most vulnerable within families and local communities exposed.

The reliance on external means, such as drones, to introduce these substances into a controlled environment signifies a breakdown in local accountability and personal duty. It suggests a failure of individuals within the community to uphold their commitment to the well-being of their kin and neighbors, shifting responsibility onto impersonal and often illicit channels. This undermines the trust necessary for families and clans to function, as the very individuals who should be safeguarding these bonds are instead contributing to their decay.

The increase in overdose deaths and hospitalizations directly impacts the continuity of the people. Each life lost or severely impaired is a loss to the procreative potential of the community and a burden on the remaining kin who must bear the weight of care and loss. This weakens the social structures that support the raising of children and the care of elders, as resources and emotional energy are diverted to managing the consequences of substance abuse.

The introduction of substances into prisons, and the resulting societal costs, demonstrate a neglect of the duty to preserve resources and maintain order within the community. The funds spent on addressing the fallout from drug use could otherwise be directed towards strengthening families, supporting elders, and ensuring the healthy development of children. Instead, these resources are consumed by the consequences of broken duties.

The acceptance of such behaviors, if unchecked, will lead to a further fracturing of family cohesion. Children will grow up in environments where parental responsibility is compromised, and the care of elders will become an even greater burden on a dwindling number of capable kin. Community trust will erode as the natural bonds of mutual support and responsibility are replaced by dependency and neglect. The stewardship of the land will suffer as the focus shifts away from the long-term well-being of the people and towards immediate, destructive gratification. The continuity of the people will be threatened as procreation and the nurturing of the next generation are undermined by widespread incapacitation and a breakdown of familial duty.

The text shows political bias by presenting one political party's viewpoint as fact. It states, "The Scottish Tories have attributed this rise to the Scottish Government's handling of the drug crisis in prisons." This frames the Tories' opinion as the reason for the increase, rather than presenting it as one possible explanation. The wording suggests the Tories' view is the definitive cause, which favors their political stance.

The text uses strong, emotive language that could sway reader opinion. Words like "crisis" and "drug-soaked mail" create a sense of urgency and negativity around the issue. This language aims to evoke a strong emotional response from the reader, potentially influencing their perception of the situation and the government's actions.

The text presents information in a way that highlights a problem and then offers a solution from the Scottish Prison Service. It details the rise in drug finds and deaths, then states, "The Scottish Prison Service stated that efforts are being made to combat the issue, with new security measures like grilles being installed." This structure can make the Prison Service appear proactive and effective in addressing the problem.

The text uses passive voice in a way that can obscure responsibility. For example, "drug finds in Scottish prisons have increased" and "six inmates died from overdoses." While factual, the passive voice can sometimes hide who is directly responsible for the situation or the deaths, making it harder to assign blame.

The text focuses on specific negative details to support a particular narrative. It mentions "drones were used 65 times" and lists specific drugs like "heroin, street valium, and cocaine." By highlighting these specific methods and substances, the text emphasizes the severity of the problem and the methods of smuggling, which aligns with the criticism of the government's handling of the issue.

The text conveys a strong sense of concern and worry regarding the rise in drug finds and related incidents within Scottish prisons. This emotion is evident in the presentation of escalating figures, such as the nearly 1,000 increase in drug finds over two years and the total of 5,848 incidents recorded. The mention of six inmate deaths from overdoses in 2024, alongside numerous hospitalizations and a significant 76% rise in paramedic call-outs for overdose emergencies, amplifies this feeling of concern. The purpose of this emotion is to alert the reader to a serious and worsening problem, aiming to create a sense of urgency and highlight the gravity of the situation.

This pervasive concern is used to guide the reader's reaction by fostering worry about the safety and well-being of inmates and potentially the wider community. It aims to change the reader's opinion by suggesting that the current situation is unacceptable and requires attention. The writer uses emotionally charged language and stark facts to achieve this. For instance, phrases like "drug crisis," "died from overdoses," and "numerous hospitalizations" are chosen to evoke a strong emotional response rather than neutral reporting. The repetition of negative outcomes, such as deaths and hospitalizations, reinforces the severity of the issue. The specific mention of methods like drones and drug-soaked mail, coupled with the attribution of the rise to the Scottish Government's handling of the crisis, introduces an element of criticism and potentially anger or frustration from the perspective of the Scottish Tories. This criticism aims to persuade the reader that the problem is not just happening, but is a result of specific policy failures.

The text also includes a tone of determination and reassurance from the Scottish Prison Service. This is conveyed through statements about "efforts being made to combat the issue" and the installation of "new security measures." The spokesperson's emphasis on staff working "diligently" and collaborating with partners aims to build trust and demonstrate that action is being taken. This emotion serves to counter the worry generated by the negative statistics, suggesting that the problem is being addressed and that the authorities are working to maintain safety. The use of phrases like "estimated cost of £8 million" provides a concrete detail about the investment in solutions, lending credibility to their efforts. The overall persuasive strategy is to present a problem that elicits concern and worry, and then offer a solution that inspires confidence and a belief in ongoing efforts to manage the situation.