DOZENS of pensioners have been charged with supplying drugs on Scottish streets over the past three years, including an 82-year-old who was allegedly dealing in heroin.
New information shows police have arrested "pensioner pushers" on suspicion of dealing dangerous illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and cannabis. Others were caught allegedly trying to sell potent prescription drugs, such as diazepam.
The 82-year-old was charged in the Central Scotland area while a 66 and a 68-year old in Strathclyde were also accused of producing drugs by operating cannabis farms.
Some 70 pensioners, many in their 70s and 80s, have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs since 2008. A further 65 have been charged with being in possession of drugs, according to information released by seven of Scotland's eight police forces.
Lothian and Borders Police refused to disclose information amid claims it would lead to the identification of the pensioners involved.
The figures have prompted concern from charities – but experts claim not to be surprised by the information, saying they often encounter generations of families using and selling drugs.
Andrew Horne, director of operations for Addaction in Scotland, said: "It's probably indicative of the UK's drug problems and its ageing population - we aren't surprised to hear older people are selling drugs.
"In our services, it is not uncommon for us to see families where children, parents and grandparents have been using drugs - many people engage in low-level dealing to cover the cost of their own drug use. We suspect this may be true of many of these cases."
Mr Horne added that many older people with drug problems were scared to access support services because of their age.
He said: "It's very important that treatment and support is available to older people. Historically, they haven't engaged with services – thinking that the support on offer isn't for them. It's a situation Addaction has been working hard to address."
Liberal Democrat justice spokeswoman Alison McInnes said that anyone caught dealing drugs should feel the full force of the law. "These figures show drug abuse is, unfortunately, something that effects every generation in our society. While those caught dealing illegal drugs must, of course, be dealt with through the courts no matter what age they are, if individuals seek help they need to know that rehabilitation ser-vices will be available to them.
She added: "The Health Secretary needs to look at ways of building closer links between community, inpatient and residential treatment and rehabilitation services. These should work closely with aftercare providers so that individuals are not cast adrift when their treatment ends."
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "Drugs wreck communities and the lives of the individuals living in them.
"We support the police and courts to use the full force of laws available to bring dealers – regardless of their ages – to justice and see them stripped of their ill-gotten gains."
In the Strathclyde area 34 pensioners were charged with supply, 37 with possession, and two with production. In Fife, seven were charged with supply and five with possession.
In Dumfries and Galloway, two pensioners were charged with supply and another two with possession. One pensioner was charged with supply in the Northern Constabulary area and three with possession, while the Central Scotland force charged two with supply and one with possession.
Tayside saw five charged with supply and four with possession while Grampian charged 19 pensioners with supply and 13 with possession.
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