HC Deb 08 May 1967 vol 746 cc1037-8
44. Mr. Arnold Shaw

asked the Minister of Health whether, to help parents, school teachers and social workers, he will issue pamphlets on drug addiction.

Mr. K. Robinson

I am considering with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and for Education and Science the general question of giving guidance on this problem.

Mr. Shaw

I welcome that Answer. Will my right hon. Friend realise that, in view of the current growing disquiet, some urgent attention ought to be given to this matter and pamphlets of the kind which ordinary people can read be issued soon?

Mr. Robinson

As I have told the House, the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence is at present considering the whole matter of publicity about drug addiction. However, this is a difficult matter and we are very concerned not to make things worse by ill-considered or ill-directed action.

Mr. Deedes

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of private and semi-public institutions interested in this subject are themselves beginning to issue literature on their own behalf? Before it goes too far, might it not be a good thing for the Ministry to decide what it wants to do about it?

Mr. Robinson

I am aware of that, and I have seen some of the literature. We are dealing with this as a matter of urgency.