Cash-strapped police have been forced to scale back a major drug-driving crackdown – despite drugs overtaking alcohol as the biggest danger on Scotland’s roads.
Police Scotland admit they are having to pause plans to ramp up the war on drug drivers amid a budget squeeze.
Data shows more motorists were caught drug driving during the festive crackdown, despite five times more alcohol breath tests than drug tests being carried out in 3500 spot roadside checks.
Officers carried out 626 roadside drug tests, catching 398 drivers – 79 more than the 319 caught over the alcohol limit.
Experts warn the figures are only the tip of the iceberg, with fears that thousands more drug drivers under the influence of cannabis, cocaine and other illicit substances are slipping through the net.
Police Scotland say they have paused the roll-out of frontline drug wipe testing for local policing teams due to “financial constraints”.
They claim it won’t have any operational impact despite putting on hold ambitious plans to train more than 300 local officers to carry out roadside swab testing.
Roadside Drug Wipe was unveiled in Scotland in 2019. A pilot saw testing extended beyond specialist traffic cops to local policing teams in Shetland in December 2024.
It was then extended to East Ayrshire and North Aberdeenshire in October, as part of an incremental rollout across the country due to continue in April and October.
The rollout was originally due to be completed by April next year, with 315 officers expected to have received specialist training by that point.
Police Scotland had predicted the plans will have a “positive impact on road safety” by enabling more cops to ramp up drug testing and snare more offenders.
They had estimated around 700 samples would be sent for testing monthly, equating to 8400 annually.
But a force report says: “Due to financial constraints, it is unlikely that wider roll out of drug drive testing to local policing officers will take place this financial year [2026/27].
“There is good coverage currently, through Roads Policing, hence this does not pose an operational risk.”
It adds: “With this confirmed, the project team are now undertaking a replan.”
Scottish Conservative justice spokesperson Liam Kerr said: “It is deeply concerning that vital drug-driving enforcement is being scaled back at a time when drug misuse is already wreaking havoc across Scotland.
“This is a direct consequence of SNP budget decisions that are leaving our police overstretched and our roads less safe.
“Scotland already has the worst drug death rate in Europe, and ministers are failing to get a grip on the wider crisis.”
Mr Kerr added: “Only the Scottish Conservatives have a serious plan to tackle this, including reintroducing our Right to Recovery Bill to guarantee access to treatment and break the cycle of addiction driving this problem.
“People deserve safer streets and a government that backs police with the resources they need – not one that leaves them hamstrung.”
Scottish Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said: “It is not sustainable for the SNP to continue to underfund Scotland’s police force and expect them to deliver a modern, efficient service that can keep our communities safe.
“Police Scotland has warned of a significant rise in drug driving in recent years, with hardworking officers carrying out hundreds of roadside tests to catch offenders.
“However, they are now sounding the alarm as a result of the SNP’s years of financial mismanagement and incompetence.”
It comes as senior officers have warned Police Scotland are no longer able to patrol the streets properly because of the SNP Government’s “savage” budget cuts. Rob Hay, president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents (ASPS), has said it is “inevitable” the force will have to undergo a “reshaping”.
The force’s financial squeeze is also hitting other areas.
A flagship community policing shake-up has hit the buffers, with the Enhancing Community Policing (ECP) initiative – designed to boost local policing and public engagement – being held back by staff shortages across officers, support teams and key backroom functions including data and analysis.
According to a force report, the programme is live in Forth Valley, Fife and Tayside – and signed off for nationwide rollout – but delivery is being reworked.
David Kennedy, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation (SPF), which represents rank and file cops, warned the ongoing financial pressures on Police Scotland were “having a very real impact on frontline policing and the ability to deliver key initiatives”.
He said: “The pausing of the drug wipe testing rollout, alongside the hold on the Enhancing Community Policing programme… serve as stark examples of the challenges facing officers – and the public – as resources continue to be squeezed.
“Each of these projects was designed to improve safety and community engagement, but without the necessary funding and staffing, delivery is being compromised.
“Officers are already stretched to breaking point, and cutting back on these initiatives risks further eroding public confidence and officer morale.
“Our concern is that, unless there is a meaningful response from the Scottish Government to address these ongoing funding shortfalls, more essential policing projects will be put on hold, leaving communities without the services they rightly expect.”
Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell had appealed to SNP ministers for “urgent support” and an extra £139m to strengthen the frontline.
The Scottish Government provided a £90m increase for the current financial year – which fell short of her request.
While Ms Farrell welcomed the cash-terms uplift in revenue funding she warned the budget remained tight, with “difficult decisions” expected in the year ahead.
Mr Hay said: “This year Police Scotland is funded to do less, not more. With a budget falling short of the Chief Constable’s stated requirements to maintain the status quo, cuts are on the way and a reshaping of the service is inevitable.”
