Published: Friday, 15th January, 2010 2:32pm

MP TAKES DRUGS BATTLE TO THE TOP

by John Martin Fulton

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BATTLE: Brian Donohoe MP

IRVINE politician Brian Donohoe will have talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown this week aimed at securing assurances over the production of heroin in Afghanistan, and the problems the drug causes in Irvine and Kilwinning.

The Central Ayrshire MP told the Times that he was hoping to hear that the government was still focused on reducing the amount of heroin making its way onto the streets from the war torn country.

Mr Donohoe told us: "If we are going to have any real impact from the conflict in Afghanistan, the one thing we could do is remove the ferrying of poppies for the cultivation of heroin."

He added that the Department for Overseas Development had played a part in giving poppy farmers alternatives to use in their fields.

"Of course, we can always do more," he added, "We have now been in the country for six or seven years and I would like to get a progress report. I want to know that there is a focus on this issue.

"Drugs are something that need to be faced. It is a sizeable problem [in Irvine and Kilwinning] and there is a large take up of methadone, which means these people were on heroin."

Mr Donohoe was guaranteed talks with Mr Brown at Prime Minister's Questions last week after asking him for assurances about UK security following the recent alleged attempted air attack by a former UK student.

He asked: "Will my right hon. friend the Prime Minister give us an update on the situation in respect of the terrorist incident that took place on the plane travelling from Schiphol in Amsterdam to Detroit?"

The PM replied that the Government was taking action, including new scanners at airports and improved scrutiny of potential suspects.

He said: "Since the Christmas day incident in Detroit, we have, as the Home Secretary reported to the House yesterday, taken a number of actions in key areas. In aviation security, the first of a new generation of full-body scanners will be in operation at Heathrow within a few weeks, and then, over time, in airports across the United Kingdom.

"Although the person who was involved in the Detroit incident was refused a visa and was on our watch list, we are nevertheless reviewing and enhancing our watch list arrangements, and given the changing nature of security, I have asked the Cabinet Secretary to ensure that any lessons that can be learned from recent events are considered and to examine whether we can further co-ordinate and integrate the work of the intelligence services and better make that work available to us."