LABOUR and Liberal Democrat politicians have called for a re-think over Government plans to stop funding a West Fife drugs initiative.

The Drug Court in Dunfermline, along with one in Kirkcaldy, had run on annual funding since it was piloted in 2002.

The initiative, run in partnership with Fife Council, NHS Fife, Fife Police and the Scottish Court Service, provided justice and rehabilitation for drug users and offenders in the area.

But now the Scottish Government have informed Fife Council that the project will end by the close of the financial year 2013/2014.

They said that that funding would only be available if the council and its partners agreed to create a wider problem-solving court.

Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Mid Scotland and Fife Lib Dem MSP told the Press, " Without it we wouldn't be able to get to the root problems of the drug users. They might offend more frequently and might not be able to be rehabilitated.

"Losing this system means communities might be adversely affected. It's widely regarded as being a success and has been going for quite a few years now.

Fife and Labour Councillor Judy Hamilton has also spoken out about the closure, "I am a big supporter of the Drug Court and as such I am bitterly disappointed at the decision taken to close the project by the end of the financial year.

"I have visited the initiative and seen the huge contribution it has made to local communities in Fife. To lose such a positive initiative would be a huge blow to the Kingdom.

"I will be contacting the Scottish Government to ask them to reconsider their plans to close the court."