HC Deb 26 January 1967 vol 739 cc324-6W
55. Mr. Maddan

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the ignorance of the public, particularly of younger people, about the steps they should take if approaches are made to them to peddle or to take drugs, he will institute a publicity campaign to secure more effective co-operation between the public and the police and other authorities in stamping out the drug menace.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

I propose to invite the Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence to consider the need for measures of this kind.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the Bain Report on Drug Addiction and, in particular, in measures to restrict the prescribing of addictive drugs.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

Legislation is being prepared to implement the recommendations for the compulsory notification of addicts by doctors, and for limiting the authority of doctors to prescribe or supply heroin and cocaine to addicts. The Advisory Committee on Drug Dependence held its inaugural meeting on 12th January and will meet again shortly. Following conferences of doctors experienced in the treatment of drug addiction, hospital authorities in the London area, where the problem is most acute, have been informed of the facilities for the treatment of heroin addicts that are required and have been asked to make such provision. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health proposes to issue general guidance to other hospital authorities.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures he is contemplating to control more carefully the production and distribution of addictive drugs.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The manufacture and distribution of these drugs are already closely controlled, as required by the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1965 and the Dangerous Drugs Regulations. I am not contemplating any further measures of control at the production or distribution stages.

Mr. Judd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the incidence, social implications and sources of drug addiction amongst young people, includ- ing schoolchildren, in Portsmouth and its surrounding district; how this compares with cities of similar size; what advice is being given to the local authority is appropriate measures which should be taken to control the situation; and whether he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to combat the social problem.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

In 1966 the number of persons charged with offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act in Portsmouth was 18. All were aged 24 or under, two being schoolboys aged 16 and 17. Most of these prosecutions related to unauthorised possession of cannabis. Information is not available which would allow a valid comparison to be made of the extent and nature of the problem between this and other areas of similar size.

I understand that the problem of addiction in Portsmouth is at present being studied in all its aspects by the local health authority and the police. If advice is needed on any particular aspect of the problem I shall be glad to consider what help can be given.