HC Deb 21 July 1999 vol 335 cc1178-9
8. Mr. David Lock (Wyre Forest)

What progress his Department is making on tackling the use of illegal drugs by young people in Great Britain. [90878]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Mr. Peter Kilfoyle)

The UK anti-drugs co-ordinator's national plan set targets to reduce the proportion of young people using heroin and cocaine by 50 per cent. by 2008 and by 25 per cent. by 2005.

Mr. Lock

"Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain" identifies growing evidence that treatment works but that its supply fails in some places to meet demand. Does my hon. Friend agree with that conclusion, and what steps will the Government take over the next two years to develop effective treatment so that a person does not have to go to prison as a drug addict in order to receive it?

Mr. Kilfoyle

My hon. Friend will appreciate that our first priority was to develop a strategy with an emphasis different to that of previous policies. The strategy focuses on the interests of young people and communities, stressing treatment and rehabilitation without forgetting that we have to choke off supply. The national plan tries to cater to individual needs in different areas through the local drug action teams. That will be an extremely effective way forward.

Mrs. Ann Winterton (Congleton)

Following the recent drugs debate, the Minister for the Cabinet Office will be aware of concerns on both sides of the House that treatment for drug abusers can take up to 12 weeks, during which time they can become completely demotivated. Has the Minister taken any recent steps in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Health to set targets to reduce waiting times for detoxification and to ensure that there is a seamless service that is followed by rehabilitation services?

Mr. Kilfoyle

The hon. Lady will appreciate that one of the problems in her cri de coeur for a seamless service is that there are many different forms of treatment. We want to ensure consistency in our overall objectives, and we and the Department of Health keep these matters under constant review.

Mr. Dennis Skinner (Bolsover)

Does my hon. Friend agree that when millions of parents and others in Britain are wrestling with the problems of drug abuse among young people, and when the Government are trying to do their level best to tackle those problems, it is a sad state of affairs that the Tory Opposition receive £1 million a year from one of the biggest drug runners in the west? [HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] Is it not high time that the Leader of the Opposition had the guts to get rid of him?

Mr. Kilfoyle

I obviously hear what my hon. Friend says, but he will not expect me to comment on the specifics of allegations that have appeared in newspapers and elsewhere. I share—I hope that we all do—his empathy with the many parents worried about the plague of drugs that affects their children and about its effect on wider communities. He will appreciate the efforts of the enforcement agencies which are pledged to try to stem the flow of drugs into the country.