HC Deb 16 July 1985 vol 83 cc159-60
7. Mr. Evennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is yet in a position to formulate a national policy for the prevention of drug misuse.

Mr. Fowler

Prevention is one of the key elements in the Government's overall strategy for dealing with this problem. We set out our policies in the document "Tackling Drug Misuse", which was published last March.

Mr. Evennett

I thank my right hon. Friend for his comments and congratulate him on his efforts in this difficult matter. Will he consider directing more attention towards educating parents and teachers about the problems of drug misuse, so that those problems can be detected at an early stage?

Mr. Fowler

Both aspects are important. We have instituted an advertising campaign, and the Department of Education and Science is also taking action. One of the aims of both campaigns is to give more information to parents and teachers.

Mr. Kirkwood

Has the Secretary of State had time yet to study the report on this important and vexed question by the Select Committee on Social Services, which was published on 20 June? Will the right hon. Gentleman give us an assurance that, in view of the public disquiet about the escalating problems of drug abuse, he will expedite the Government's response to the report and proceed to implement some of its conclusions?

Mr. Fowler

We shall give urgent attention to that report. I share the concern of the hon. Gentleman and the Select Committee about the problem.

Mr. Harris

Does my right hon. Friend agree that his task and that of his ministerial colleague in the Home Office with responsibility for warning people about the misuse of drugs is made more difficult by certain books, especially one by Harold Robbins called "Descent from Xanadu" which glamorises drug taking among tycoons? I do not ask my right hon. Friend to read this trash; I simply draw his attention to it.

Mr. Fowler

I am sure that the whole House deplores any publication that seeks to glamorise drug taking.

Mr. Dobson

Has the Secretary of State read his Department's report entitled, "Drug Misuse: Prevalence and Service Provision"? If so, does he agree that he is bound to conclude that there is much more "prevalence" than "service provision" and that fewer than a quarter of the district health authorities have received any help from his Government to set up rehabilitation clinics?

Mr. Fowler

We are rapidly expanding the rehabilitation units. Spending has increased to £11.5 million—almost double. The hon. Gentleman may want to claim that more needs to be done. I agree, but I hope he will recognise the initiatives which the Government have taken to deal with this serious problem.