SCOTS drugs expert Dr Neil McKeganey has won a prestigious award for his contribution to research and policy in tackling illegal substances.

Mr McKeganey, who set up the Centre for Drug Misuse Research at the University of Glasgow in 1994, was awarded the Nils Bejerot Award, which was previously held by Dr Antonio Maria Costa, head of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.

The award was presented at a meeting of the World Forum Against Drugs (WFAD).

Per Johansson, Secretary General of the National Association for a Drug-free Society in Sweden, said: "Professor McKeganey is a hero of WFAD.

"He is a leader in our work for a better drug policy for the 21st century."

Mr McKeganey said: "I have tried to be as clear as possible about both our successes and our failures, to tell truth to power and to encourage organisations and governments to do more in meeting the challenge of illegal drugs."