NHS Grampian have organised a conference in Aberdeen called Sex and Drugs and Crystal Meth -- backed by local authorities.

As well as the damage caused by crystal meth to the body, professionals are concerned that users will be much more vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases.

"In Manchester, like London, it is more in pockets, particularly around the gay club scene, but there is a sense that this is a coming storm," said Colin Tyrie of Manchester's Public Health Development Service.

"If cocaine became less available, we may see an increase in crystal meth use."

"We would be worried if we got caught off our guard, particularly with the sexual health issue."

Tyrie's contribution to the conference is a presentation on a controversial research project that targets children that may be susceptible to drug abuse later in life.

"We know that drug users don't tend to come into contact with services until a year after they have begun risky behaviour," said Tyrie.

"If we are really serious about preventing infections and other consequences, should we be profiling people to see who is likely to engage in those risks?"

He acknowledges that there may be ethical issues with the approach, but they have not dissuaded him from continuing with the project.

"Schools find it very politically sensitive and people feel anxious about the stigma," Tyrie admitted.

"It taps into the concerns people have about the amount of information collected about them."

"But the real danger is people can't break away from their early experiences, and we don't make it possible for people to to change."

One expert known for her work with disadvantaged women who become pregnant concedes that crystal meth is uncommon in Scotland at the moment -- but she already has extensive experience of the damage that poverty and drugs can cause.

"We don't have huge amounts coming through the maternity service," said Dr Mary Hepburn, consultant obstetrician at Glasgow's Princess Royal Maternity Hospital.

"But crystal meth is an issue and we need to know about it."

"We are seeing more poverty-related ill health."

"It is more entrenched."

"Twenty years ago when drugs first came into this country the majority of drug using young women were 17-24."

"They tended to be fairly healthy but for their drug use."

"Now women are older and the social factors that cause ill health are more entrenched."

"Glaswegians who are disadvantaged have worse outcomes than disadvantaged incomers, including higher rates of prematurity and mortality, more babies born pre-term, and lower birth weights."

Dr Hepburn is convinced that drug users are not getting support due to prejudice.

"Putting in extra support applies for women who have mental health problems or a learning disability or a condition like diabetes -- but women who use drugs are seen as responsible for their own problems," she said.

But she is steadfast in her conviction that poverty lies at the heart of the problems she faces in Glasgow.

"Problem drug use is overwhelmingly linked to poverty and social disadvantage," Dr Hepburn said.

With fears growing around crystal meth, one speaker at the conference believes that any hysteria around the drug could cause more harm than good.

"We need to look at what we might do if and when it becomes an issue, but we need to be wary," said Tim Bottomley, a senior practitioner with Salford Drug and Alcohol Service.

"When heroin users started using crack in the 1990s, some of their curiosity was undoubtedly fuelled by headlines and politicians talking it up."