§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the use of the cocaine derivative colloquially known as crack; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe smoking of cocaine in its alkaloid form is thought to be a particularly dangerous means of taking the drug, the effects of which can include more rapidly induced psychological dependence. It is not a common means of cocaine misuse in the United Kingdom, but a close watch is being kept on the situation. Our overall strategy against drug misuse includes a number of measures particularly relevant to cocaine, including the allocation of £1 million in support of programmes aimed at reducing cocaine production and trafficking in South America; deployment by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of additional investigation staff against cocaine smuggling; and the posting of drugs liaison officers to South America and the Caribbean to improve liaison and intelligence.