Pharmacy refutes drug gang claims

Charles Shanks, director of the Sighthill Health Centre pharmacy, said there had been problems with prescription holders gathering at the building on Fridays to pick up extra doses of methadone.

But he said the situation had improved since the pharmacy received a £100,000 revamp and extended its opening hours.

Residents claimed in the News yesterday that gangs of recovering drug addicts were making their lives a misery.

Mr Shanks said: “The pharmacy is now open on a Saturday morning and we don’t get the three-day methadone pick-ups as much as we used to.

“I think we have definitely seen a reduction in the number of people congregating at the centre on Fridays.”