§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department has initiated to combat drugs misuse in north-west England. [16154]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Government's strategy for combating drugs misuse is aimed at reducing both the supply of and demand for illegal drugs. In support of this, 105 local drug action teams have been set up across the country; 16 of these are in the north-west. In addition, two Home Office drugs prevention teams, based in Liverpool and Salford, are working with local people and groups to find effective and lasting ways to prevent drugs misuse in the community.
Police and Customs activity in the region has achieved notable successes. A combined operation with Dutch police resulted in the seizure last October of cocaine valued at £75 million as well as considerable quantities of heroin and Ecstasy, and the breaking up of a major international drug trafficking organisation based in the north-west of England.