Dundee East’s MSP Shona Robison warned there was no easy solution.

“It’s time for a fresh start in tackling problem drug use,” she said.

“We need to go beyond simply reducing risk and harm by helping people to move on towards a drug-free life. People want answers to the problem of drugs in their communities.

“We need to give the many talented and committed people who work to tackle drugs problems a clearer focus than they had in the past.

“There are no easy solutions but the Government is showing leadership and we can make real progress on winning the battle.”

Thwe Tele has revealed evidence that the amount of heroin going into the veins of city addicts could be £1.8 million annually, with some chaotic users taking up to £100 worth every day.

We also revealed that the number of suspected overdoses investigated by Tayside Police is rising, with 17 people having died in Dundee since the turn of the year, including three in the last fortnight.

Dundee West’s Joe FitzPatrick had earlier said the city was not awash with heroin, saying the problem was no worse here than in any other city.

Today he told the Tele, “The drug problem across Scotland is getting worse and the failure of previous strategies to deal effectively with drug abuse over many years is obvious.

“The impact of drug misuse extends far beyond the individual drug user — it destroys families, damages communities and costs Scotland billions of pounds.

“We must have a zero tolerance to drug crime but we need to provide better quality drug treatment to addicts.”

The Government’s strategy, Putting Scotland on the Road to Recovery, would “offer a solution” to Dundee’s heroin problems.

The new strategy focuses on recovery.

Key measures include a strengthening of existing powers to seize assets from drug dealers and a tracking of investment in drug rehabilitation projects and the outcomes they deliver.

There will also be a new approach to achieve a better quality of drug treatment in prisons, together with a fresh approach to drugs education, including the provision of factual information to every household with parents or grandparents.