03/02/2014 Reporting Scotland

Tonight on Reporting Scotland: Warnings about ecstasy tablets after

a teenage girl dies. Regane MacColl collapsed in a

nightclub after taking this pill. Doctors say it's a growing problem.

When they come here, they have been quite poisoned. We are very

concerned. Four other people were also taken to hospital, after

apparently taking the same drug. Also on the programme: The future of

the Commonwealth Games. They're in Glasgow this year - but future Games

are struggling to find a country to host them.

How deer are threatening the survival of Scotland's native

woodlands. And after his success in Dubai,

Stephen Gallacher flies back into Scotland - eyeing the Ryder Cup in

Gleneagles. Good evening. Accident and emergency

units are seeing patients as young as 15 who've been taking ecstasy.

This has emerged after the death of a Clydebank teenager, who collapsed

at a nightclub at the weekend. Four other people were taken to hospital,

after apparently taking the drug. Our home affairs correspondent

Reevel Alderson reports. This is the nightclub where a

17-year-old girl collapsed at the weekend, apparently having taken an

ecstasy tablet. 17-year-old Regan McCall died in Glasgow Royal

Infirmary. The cause of her death is not yet known. A 19-year-old woman

from Clydebank has been arrested for alleged drug offences. Three men

were taken to this hospital in command after apparently having

taken similar ecstasy tablets. -- in Cil Marnoch. Doctors say there is a

worrying rise in the number of younger patients being admitted

after taking recreational drugs. Initially ecstasy was mainly through

the club drug scene with people going to concerts and raves and

nightclubs. They were mainly in their early 20s up to 30s. We're

seeing a shift down to young teens. The youngest we've seen is 15. When

they come here they've been quite poisoned and we've been very

concerned. One problem doctors here in the A unit face is that

patients often don't know what they have taken, which means it's

difficult for doctors to prescribe specific treatment for them. It's

thought Regane MacColl took these pills, Mortal Kombat, with the red

Dragon logo. But in the past fortnight, drugs agencies have

issued two separate warnings about ecstasy tablets. These pills were

found to contain a substance which can be highly toxic when taken with

alcohol. The message today is that you really cannot trust what you are

told about these substances. You cannot rely on the content being

what you think it will be and, quite rightly, you are gambling with your

life at times by taking them so please stay safe and don't do it.

Charities say the danger is evident from changes in young people's

drug-taking, including mixing several drugs together and taking

them with alcohol. We are seeing an increasing trend in the levels of

polydrug use. We estimate that about 80% of drug users are taking more

than one substance at a time. Analysis is continuing to discover

what caused Regane's death and the illness of the other users.

Cuts in housing benefit, which critics have dubbed the "bedroom

tax", are to be reversed in Scotland. The Scottish Government is

promising an additional ?15 million to cancel the effect of the policy.

But they say the cash can only be spent if the UK Government lifts a

legal cap on spending. Here's our political correspondent Glenn

Campbell. In Glasgow, Jane Grey is struggling

to find the money to make up for a cut in housing benefit imposed

because she has a spare bedroom. She hopes more cash from the Scottish

government will make it easier to get by. That will take a lot of

strain off me, not to pay the bill at all. If you don't pay, we'll put

you out the house, that is what they say. The bedroom tax affects an

estimated 76,000 Scottish households, which are home to around

12,000 children. 80% include an adult with a recognised disability.

?15 million from the Scottish government, together with existing

help, should be nobody in Scotland has to pay the bedroom tax in the

coming year. The snag is, the UK Department for Work and Pensions

hasn't set a cap on the amount the Scottish Government can spend on

discretionary housing payments. -- has set a cap. Isaiah written to the

DWP to ask them to lift that cap and provide us the resources to mitigate

the bedroom tax completely. It's not clear whether the UK government will

give permission. They say this year's cash help has not been fully

taken up. Even if the answer is no, the Labour Party says debt

cancellation is another way to offset the tax. It is already in

existence in one council and housing association. It has been checked by

lawyers and we're sure that there is a legal way to get round the DWP

cap. SNP ministers would prefer to top up discretionary housing

payments but say they'll look at all options to effectively cancel the

bedroom tax in Scotland. Our political editor, Brian Taylor,

joins me. What's the latest? Further talks this evening to try to resolve

the differences explained in that report. They're examining options

for what happens if the DWP say yes. And what happens if they say no

and if they don't respond to the terms suggested by the Scottish

Government. You are beginning to get the evidence of a real difference of

opinion between the two sites. Ian Craig believes there are other ways

of doing this and driving it forward. The Scottish Government

says its hands are tied if the DWP doesn't give it the go-ahead.

Benefits are controlled by Westminster and they cannot simply

spend what they like. They say if they try to find other ways, DWP

would just say that it was a way of getting round the rules and was not

legal. This is by no means a done deal. Politics inevitably at play in

all this. It's a reasonable point. These are serious, genuine

negotiations. The SNP and Labour believe there is a serious economic

problem caused by this. The policy has its defenders but you have the

Labour Party suggesting the SNP are not fully using the powers they have

at Holyrood and the SNP saying, if only we have the powers of

independence we would control benefits in Scotland ourselves and

the issue would not arise. You're watching Reporting Scotland

from the BBC. Still to come on tonight's programme: We're in Sochi

as the Scots in Team GB head east for the Winter Olympics.

In sport: A welcome home for Scotland's latest golfing hero, who

says Ryder Cup selection would be massive.

And up for the Cup! After the drama of penalties, Inverness Caley

Thistle reach their first major Cup Final. News of all of that and more

coming soon. Just 170 days to go before the

Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow. But organisers are becoming

increasingly concerned about the future of the event - because, so

far, no-one has said they want to host the games in 2022. Expressions

of interest have to be in by the end of March, but so far none of the 70

nations and territories have come forward. Here's our Commonwealth

Games reporter Chris McLaughlin. Where will you be when the world

comes to Scotland? Glasgow 2014 selling itself to the

world in a bid to attract big crowds and being athletes to the city for

the 20th commonwealth games. And it is so far proving popular, with most

of these venues ready and the majority of the tickets already

sold. But just how popular are the Games in general? In 2018,

Australia's Gold Coast will be the hosts but in 2022, the destination

of the games so far remains a mystery. So far no ex rations of

interest have been received but the man in charge of attracting them

remains up meat. If there are no bids, the games will finish in 2018.

But I don't think that will be the case. The games have been held every

four years since 1930 but, as they've grown, so has the price

target. And so, as the Queen's bat on makes its way around her 70

nations and territories, the messages that future games could be

smaller, meaning fewer sports and, so, fewer athletes. As long as it

was well and some of the... It wasn't high profile sports that were

cut, because there are some sports that are more high profile than

others and some would be more damaging than others if they were

lost from the Games. So Glasgow is on but after that, attention turns

to making sure the Commonwealth Games have a future.

A deal's been reached which could help increase the number of supply

teachers. The agreement means teachers called in to do supply work

would get paid at a higher rate after two days' work instead of

five. Several councils and schools have had problems finding supply

teachers. The deal is part of a bigger package on pay and

conditions. Scotland's largest teachers' union, the EIS, will now

ballot its members on whether to accept the package, which also

includes 1% pay increases for all teachers this year and next.

Edinburgh City Council has scrapped the licensing of saunas and massage

parlours. The move marks a change in the city's long-standing tolerance

of the sex trade and it follows a number of police raids on premises.

The council says the current arrangement was no longer effective,

but it does not mean the saunas will close. Representatives of sex

workers have said the decision not to license saunas could put them

more at risk. Deer represent the biggest threat to

our native woodlands, according to the findings of a major new study

from Forestry Commission Scotland. It's reignited the debate on demands

for a cull to reduce the number of deer on Scotland's hills. Our

environment correspondent, David Miller, reports: Scotland's native

woodlands are you rich and diverse habitat, supporting and diverse

habitat, supporting an array of birds, plants and animals.

Read deer are at home here but overgrazing can threaten the

woodlands on which they depend, so what does this latest research tell

us about the scale of the threat? It shows that over the whole resource,

about a third is impacted quite highly and if that were to be

maintained into the future, it would stop the woodlands regenerating

successfully. The debate about the number of deer on Scotland's Hills

and the impact they have on our native woodland is deeply divisive,

with environmental organisations and conservationists on one side and

landowners and gamekeepers on the other. And the road ahead? Ministers

say that will involve balancing the needs of sporting estates which rely

on income from deer stalking with environmental concerns. We do value

the rural jobs that are provided by sporting estate but we have to look

after the environment with great sensitivity because we have

international obligations in place. We have a desire to protect a

protected sites. There are more than three quarters of a million deer in

Scotland but land managers argue the impact of our 2.5 million sheep is

often overlooked. Gamekeepers say there is a simple practical measure

which would protect native woodlands. The answer for us to this

is fencing. If you've got a plant that lives for 200 years, it needs

special protection for the first 15 years of its life. That protection

is a fence. The deer control debate will continue but we now have more

information than ever about the health of our woodlands and the

threat they face. A A look at some other stories from across Scotland

this Monday. And original, onshore fish farming

project is underway in Argyll. This scheme for breezing salmon in tanks

on land will initially employ 20 people. That will provide the

blueprint. Then, we hope to expand that to four times the size at

Machrihanish and then provide second and the processing.

More -- secondary -- more money is to be provided...

18 avalanche is where recorded over a 24-hour period over the weekend.

Heavy snowfalls and high winds have also increased the risks of

cornices. A World War I exhibition is going on

display in Aberdeen to commemorate the role of the Gordon Highlanders.

The great War claimed the life of over 28,000 soldiers. They were

involved in all the major actions from the outbreak of war right

through to the famous Christmas truce. There is a huge story to

tell. A singer from Stranraer has won the

BBC radio Scotland Young traditional user should award by 2014. Robin

Stapleton saw off five other finalists to take the prize.

How many artists does it take to change a light-bulb? Commuters in

Edinburgh City Centre might find out this evening thanks to a new art

installation that's transformed one of the capital's most famous

squares. Those behind the Field of Light project hope it will attract

thousands of visitors to St Andrew Square. Our reporter Steven Godden

is there for us this evening. This is one of the busiest parts of

Edinburgh city full set -- city centre. This Field of Light is made

up of around 9000 glass bulbs that sit on top of a clear plastic tube.

When you take a walk around here, you get a sense of the atmosphere

that it creates. When you look from above, you get a sense of this

scale. The inspiration for the project came in the Australian

outback more than 20 years ago. This is the first time it has been in

Scotland and the first time it has been staged in our city. The artist

says his aims are fairly straightforward. We want to make

people feel more optimistic about life. That is the aim of the

installation. It is not an intellectual piece of work, it is

purely about light and spirit and the more positive things in life.

Tonight is the first time the project has been eliminated and

already we have seen people out here with their camera phones. Edinburgh

City Council, who commissioned and funded the project, say they hope it

will bring people to this square. It will be here until the end of April.

Thank you. Scottish athletes will start making

their way to the Black Sea resort of Sochi this week where the Winter

Olympics start on Friday. Curling, speed skating and skiing could all

produce medals for Team GB which will be based between two sites - in

the mountains and on the coast. Our reporter Jackie O'Brien reports from

the mountain cluster, where Russians are working round the clock to

welcome the world. Scotland may be giving Sochi a run

for its money on the snow stakes this winter, but Olympic organisers

are confident that there will be no need to dig into the thousands of

tonnes they have been stockpiling here since last year. The country's

culture and traditions are also in plentiful supply, but local people

are keen to show off modern Russian too. We are very happy and we are

very proud that the Olympic Games are in Russia this year. We are

happy that we can show our culture. We are happy that so many people in

other countries can see our games, can see our nation, can see how

beautiful our country is. With just under a third of Scots

making up Team GB, Scottish athletes are hoping to make a big impression

in Russia. With curling and skiing the main medal contenders. We have

got a really strong team this year. Just over 50 athletes are coming. We

are hoping for at least three medals, but it could be more than

that. We have had some exceptional results across the board recently.

Many Scots including curling umpire Alan Stanford from Nairn have been

chosen to officiate here are and areundeterred by recent terrorist

threats to target the Winter games. I am sure they will have every

security measure in place that they can to minimise the risk of the

games having any issues or problems. I look forward to enjoying the games

and I hope it is remembered for all the right reasons.

But Sochi does not seem ready to receive the thousands expected here

this week with workers grafting day and night to get the purpose-built

resort fully open for Olympic business. Up in these breathtaking

mountains, competition venues, hotels and even a shopping centre

remain unfinished. Russia is in a race against time if it is to make

the most expensive Winter games ever a success.

Here's Rhona now with the sport. Good evening. Scotland's top-ranked

golfer says it would be massive for the country to have a home-based

player in this year's Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. Doubly special for

Stephen Gallacher, as his uncle Bernard played for, and captained,

the European team. Kheredine Idessane reports on Gallacher's

homecoming after retaining the Dubai Desert Classic and his optimism for

the year ahead. Back on home soil after his best

ever victory. Friends and family with a warm welcome following a win

in Dubai which could change his career. An historic day. He is the

only man ever to retain the Desert classic title, the first Scot

successfully to defend the European tour event in 14 years and he can

now play and all four majors this season, including the Masters in

April. That has been a dream of mine since I was a child. I have always

wanted to play it. It is the only major I have not played in.

Augusta, I hold it in high esteem. It is one of the pinnacles of the

golfing calendar. In the year Scotland hosts the Ryder Cup, his

good form could scarcely be better timed. As a nation, we want a Scot

in the team. I hope I can do my best. It has been in my family. My

uncle played eight times and captained it three times. It is

seven months away, it is a long-term goal so I do not focus on it too

much just now. What he can focus on is another year in possession of

this fine specimen and on playing the kind of golf which will push

them further up the rankings and into Europe's 12 man Ryder Cup team.

Dundee have announced that manager John Brown has left the club. They

released a statement saying the club agreed with John's expressed view

that, after recent results, this is the best way forward. Dundee expect

to move quickly to appoint a new manager.

The Inverness Caley Thistle manager John Hughes says everyone from the

club chairman to the kitman deserve their big day at the League Cup

final. They'll face Aberdeen in their first major final in a 20 year

history. As our senior football reporter Alasdair Lamont reports,

their place was secured in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Ross Draper has sent Caley Thistle into the Scottish League Cup final.

A penalty shoot out triumph, but that wasn't even half the story.

There was little sign of the drama to come when the Greg Tansey

unleashed this beauty. But then the game turned on its head. Gary Warren

was sent off. Caley Thistle are down to ten men. Jamie Hamill equalised.

And quickly got another. Already a goal down, and a man down, Josh

Meekings was sent off. Caley Thistle are appealing against this, but an

equaliser looked unlikely. Step forward Nick Ross. The nine men held

on to reach their first major final on penalties.

It is a massive thing for the club. The fans have not had a final to go

to. Absolutely delighted for everyone concerned. From the

chairman right down to the kit man. How has the news gone down? You see

a lot of Inverness tops now as opposed to Celtic and Rangers.

And what else is happening in Scottish sport?

After losing the league cup semifinal to Inverness Caley, wetter

news for Hearts fan today. -- better news. UBIG Have agreed to transfer

shares. Sean Maitland will miss the clash against England on Saturday.

He suffered concussion and a leg injury in the game against Ireland.

This is the moment Andy Murray edged Team GB to victory over the USA and

progressed to their first quarterfinal of the Davis Cup. It's

nice to play with those guys. It was two titles apiece for Kirsty

Gallacher and Imagen bank here -- Imogen Bankier in the badminton.

Thank you. Just time for a reminder that the next in our series of

referendum debates takes place on the Tuesday the 18th of February.

It's from Kelso with James Cook. If you want to apply to be in the

audience, please go to the BBC temperatures today were fairly mild,

but the strong wind it took the edge of those temperatures. Tonight, the

wind will ease for most of us. But there will be some rain in the mix.

This band of rain is moving north-east roads across the country.

It could fall as snow on the hills and some of the highest roads in the

Highlands. Hide it, skies cleared just enough to allow a touch of

ground frost. -- behind it. For Orkney and Shetland, driver most of

the night, but gale-force wind 's. That rain were clear the mainland

pretty quickly, but linger over Shetland for much of the day. Once

again, strong winds. Tomorrow, most of the country will be dry and

bright with decent spells of sunshine. There will be a scattering

of showers in the South and West, some of them heavy. Staying breezy

on the coast. For the rest of the afternoon towards evening, the

showers were fed in from the west. Most of the country will be driver

the first half but that -- most of the country will be dry for the

first half of the night. This area of low pressure will take charge on

Wednesday. We have an early warning of heavy rain for the North and

East. Potentially localised flooding. Strong to deal forced

wins, even severe gale force around the coastline. Thursday looking

cloudy and very windy. Showers and longer spells of rain. But improving

for Friday. Thank you. Now, a reminder of tonight's main

news. It's emerged that accident and

emergency units are seeing patients as young as 15, who've been taking

ecstasy. The revelation follows the death of Clydebank teenager, Regane

MacColl, who collapsed at a nightclub at the weekend.

And that is Reporting Scotland. I will be back with the headlines at

eight and the late bulletin just after the ten o'clock news. Good

evening.