NEW figures show our local chemists were paid close to half a million pounds for dispensing methadone to drug addicts in 2014.
Figures for the Three Towns, Kilwinning, Dalry, Kilbirnie, Beith and West Kilbride, show pharmacies in the area made an astonishing £464,222 over the year for supplying the drug.
For the full story see this week's Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here