AN AYRSHIRE MSP has told Holyrood that a public health approach to justice could reduce crime and make our communities safer.

Ruth Maguire, who represents Cunninghame South, said Scotland's powers to tackle drugs, gambling and organised crime were being hampered by Westminster control of policy, and only independence would allow future Scottish Governments to address the problems fully.

The move could lead to such measures as raising the legal age for gambling, introducing drug checking facilities, extending supervised drug consumption facilities and reviewing the drug classification system.

At a meeting of the Scottish Parliament on May 9, Ms Maguire, whose constituency covers Irvine, Kilwinning and parts of Stevenston, asked Cabinet Secretary for Justice Angela Constance for her views on the issue.

Ms Constance replied: "Evidence shows that community interventions can be more effective in reducing reoffending and assisting with rehabilitation, leading to fewer victims and safer communities.

"Health considerations are also key and we know that those in the justice system often present high levels of vulnerability and have complex needs.

"So ensuring access to health and other support services at each point in the justice system is therefore vital and requires a holistic multi-agency approach."

Ms Maguire said: "Justice is, of course, largely devolved, however we see in some of the most challenging issues facing society, drugs, gambling and organised crime, Scotland is limited by Westminster laws on policy and a creative, focussed approach can be stifled.

"Would the Cabinet Secretary agree with me that that this is just one of the many reasons that the people of Scotland would be best served by the restoration of Scotland's independence and the full powers and responsibilities this would bring?"

There were loud cheers from the SNP benches before Ms Constance responded: "Well said, Ms Maguire.

"Independence would, of course, allow us to further embed and extend our public health approach to justice and violence reduction into currently reserved areas like gambling and drug reform.

"As an example, with full powers under independence, future Scottish Governments could consider a range of measure to tackle gambling-related harm, such as raising the legal age of gambling or reviewing how gambling appeals to young people.

"In relation to drug reform, any future government could consider the creation of a statutory framework for supervised drug consumption facilities, and review the drug classification system, with clarification of the law, so services can provide drug paraphenalia legally`and enable a wider range of treatment options such as introducing drug checking facilities, as opposed to having to apply to the Home Office."