The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has said she is 'saddened and surprised' that an over 18s shop selling 'legal highs' operates only two doors from an addiction centre supported by the Church.

Speaking on a visit to the Havilah Trust addiction support centre, the Rt Rev Lorna Hood said:  “I am saddened and surprised that we have a shop like this two doors away from a place such as Havilah which is doing all it can to help those in the community affected by addiction problems."

Mrs Hood added: “Congregations across Scotland do all they can to help those affected by addictions and to offer support for their families. Likewise, CrossReach, The Church of Scotland’s social care provider – one of the largest care providers in Scotland gives invaluable help and support to people and their families who have been affected by alcohol and drug related problems.”

The Havilah centre was set up by St Andrew’s Church in 2006 and has a funding grant of £42,000 from the Church of Scotland’s Go for It fund.

The Rev Dr Martin Fair, minister at St Andrew's, said: “Of course, anyone can go online and buy whatever they like but putting these shops on our streets, sandwiched between general stores, video stores and newsagents, lends them a degree of legitimacy which is unwarranted and suggests that the products being sold must be safe, which is untrue.”

Read more about the Church of Scotland's stance on drugs here

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