23 January 2007

Cathy's statistics

The Executive likes to congratulate itself. Here is an extract from its latest press release:
Statistics released today show that in the last five years there has been a continuing increase in the amount of Class A, Class B and Class C drugs seized by the police.
Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson said:
"Drugs and the people who peddle them are a scourge on our communities. These figures show that Scotland's police forces are continuing to play a vital and uncompromising role in combating this evil trade.
"The increase in the number of hard drugs seized shows that the strong enforcement action is paying off..."

Aye well maybe. But has it occurred to Ms Jamieson that the increase in the number of hard drugs seizures may reflect the increased availability of hard drugs? And that it has nothing to do with strong enforcement action?

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