Drugs (Hansard, 12 December 1989)

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's assessment of the drug crack as it might affect Wales; and if he will increase his financial support of the voluntary agencies who are involved in Wales in the fight against drug abuse.

§ Mr. Grist
To date there have been no seizures of the drug in Wales but we should not be complacent. The Department, in conjunction with the Welsh committee on drug misuse in Wales, will continue to monitor the situation most carefully.
As to financial support, since the launch of the central initiative to combat drug misuse in Wales in 1986, this Government have made available annually increasing sums to help develop services—both statutory and voluntary—for drug misusers.
The provision for 1990–91 will be announced soon.

§ Mr. Barry Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his Department's work concerning drug abuse in Wales.

§ Mr. Grist
The Welsh Office is involved in the campaign to combat drug misuse in a number of ways. At the all-Wales level, the Department services, and is advised by, the Welsh committee on drug misuse (WCDM). Set up in 1986 to concern itself with the development of preventative measures, treatment, and rehabilitation services in response to the growing menace of drug misuse in Wales, WCDM has been particularly active. As well as meeting with all drug advisory committees in Wales, WCDM has produced advice and guidance on a number of issues.
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Since the launch of the central initiative to combat drug misuse in Wales, the Department has made available annually increasing funds to help develop local services—whether statutory or voluntary—for drug misusers. Around £1.5 million is available in 1989–90.
While national publicity campaigns are adapted for use in Wales, the Department is currently developing a specific primary prevention programme in association with WCDM and the health promotion authority for Wales. Preventive education in schools is also most important. The Department supports activities to promote health education under education support grant and recognises measures to prevent drug misuse as a national priority for the local education authority training grants scheme.
Finally, there are clear links between drug misusers and AIDS and it is for that reason that the Department is making available some £180,000 in 1989–90 to facilitate the development of needle and syringe exchange schemes in Wales. These schemes are to be piloted over two years.