FOOTBALL clubs should be taking on responsibility and doing more to prevent drug use in their communities according to a drugs expert.

Speaking to the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster, Dr Neil McKeganey, Director, Centre for Substance Use Research, said given football’s importance it could and should take a greater responsibility for health

He said: “It’s hard to imagine a country that cares more about football than Scotland, I think that’s true.

“I think that unwelcome and burdensome as it may be all of our football teams of national provenance should be engaged in this activity of drawing young people in and showing them the benefits of physical fitness and the way in which fitness can be depleted when one gets involved in drugs and taking on that role way beyond their responsibilities as football players.”

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Conservative MSP, Brian Whittle, had said that attachment to a sport is a “behavioural driver” that can keep people away from drugs and alcohol because it will impair their ability and raised the success of the homeless street soccer project.

Dr McKeganey added: ”Football is fundamentally important to Scottish culture. I would think we have under utilised and they have underperformed in terms of social responsibility which our football teams should have with regards to enhancing the health and welfare of the population of their local area.”

Other academics were more sceptical of its potential.

Dr Iain McPhie of University of West of Scotland, said: “ We know that people for who drugs are not a problem, they have other interests other than seeking pleasure in illegal drugs. We should be supporting initiatives like this whether they can be rolled out and act as an inoculation against future risk, I’m not sure.”

Nicky Reid, Chief executive of the SPFL Trust, said: ”The Scottish Professional Football League is regarded as one of the most community engaged leagues in the world, ranking 4th in the 2017 Responsiball Survey.

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“Of the 42 professional clubs in Scotland, 23 have their own charities dedicated entirely to supporting their communities; whilst all 42 engage in some kind of community focused activity.

“We know that substance misuse and addiction are symptomatic of wider issues for both the individual and our society as a whole and our clubs work hard to improve lives for people in the communities they serve.

“The Centre for Substance Use Research has never been in touch with us on this subject.”