§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, what arrangements have been made to improve the collection of information about drug-related deaths in Scotland; and if he will make a statement. [29765]
§ Mr. LangThe General Register Officer for Scotland, in consultation with forensic pathologists, the Crown Office and my Department, introduced new arrangements in 1994 for checking and classifying such deaths. The improved procedures are described in a publication issued today by the General Register Office for Scotland. The publication also gives information about drug-related deaths in 1994, collected under the new system, and, for122W comparative purposes, provides available data for 1992 and 1993. A copy has been placed in the Library.
The new arrangements have significantly improved the collection and reliability of information on drug-related deaths in Scotland. The figures tragically illustrate the dangers of misusing drugs and underline the importance of the concerted action now being taken to tackle drug misuse on the basis of the report of the drugs task force, led by my noble and learned Friend the Minister of State. The improved data now available will help inform the development of policy and services within the framework of the task force report.