HC Deb 19 May 1994 vol 243 cc941-2
4. Mr. Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce the growth of drug abuse.

Mr. Howard

The Government's strategy for tackling drug misuse is aimed at reducing both the supply of, and the demand for, drugs. Key elements in the strategy include increasing the effectiveness of enforcement, developing prevention measures, publicity and education, and improving the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers.

Mr. Hendry

I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for that clear answer. Has he seen the evidence from parts of the world where cannabis has been legalised? It has resulted in a rapid increase in the consumption of both hard and soft drugs, a massive increase in health costs and an escalation of crime out of all proportion to that which existed before. Will my right hon. and learned Friend assure the House that he will have none of the nonsense peddled by some Opposition Members that cannabis should be legalised in Britain? It sounds as though they have been taking it.

Mr. Howard

I can give my hon. Friend that assurance without equivocation. I entirely agree with the points that he has made.

Mr. Stevenson

Is the Home Secretary aware of the specific dangers attributed to the continued use of so-called poppers? Is he further aware of the research done in the United States which clearly shows that the free use of so-called poppers reduces the effectiveness of the immune system? In the light of representations made, for example, by Staffordshire county council and other authorities, what action does the Home Secretary envisage taking to ban the use of these dangerous substances?

Mr. Howard

I am aware of some of the incidents which have occurred in Staffordshire and elsewhere involving the misuse of substances such as that to which the hon. Gentleman refers. We are considering carefully whether the action he suggests as appropriate should be taken.

Mr. Butler

Does my right hon. and learned Friend agree that in dealing with drugs, as with other crimes, it is not sufficient simply to talk about being tough on crime and the causes of crime, but it is necessary also to be tough on criminals?

Mr. Howard

Yes, Madam Speaker.

Mr. Blair

Does the Home Secretary agree that it is horrific that children, sometimes as young as 11, are gaining access to drugs even within the school gates? Does he accept, as the police say, that the problem is likely to get worse with the introduction of highly violent and organised crime rings from the former eastern Europe? Does he agree that if we do not put in place the proper strategy to fight drug abuse, the fight against crime will be hugely hindered?

Mr. Howard

I of course agree with the hon. Gentleman that some of the instances of supply of drugs to young children are horrific. I also agree that we have to be on our guard to ensure that the problem is not aggravated by the influx of either drugs or weapons from eastern Europe. We have a strategy in place which adopts a comprehensive approach to the problems relating to drugs and we are examining it to see to what extent it can be improved.