WATCH: Police in Edinburgh draft in former addict to help tackle drug deaths

A former addict has been drafted in by Police Scotland to help tackle the growing number of drug-related deaths.

Kevin Dickson grew up in Muirhouse and fell in to a life of stealing to fund drugs from an early age. He spent 17 years in and out of prison.

He's now turned his life around and is a peer mentor to those suffering and those in recovery. He works with group Aid and Abet.

This week officers in the capital brought him in to speak to offenders and hopefully start their journey to recovery.

It's all part of a new approach by Police Scotland to stop the toxic cycle of substance abuse and stop the growing number of drug-related deaths.

In three days of raids this week, police in the city seized £1.2m worth of drugs and arrested 25 people.