§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the President of the Council what action has been taken during the UK Presidency of the European Union in respect of the manufacture and distribution of(a) ecstasy and (b) other drug testing kits. [44162]
§ Mr. George HowarthI have been asked to reply.
No specific work on the general availability of drug testing kits for Ecstasy or other drugs has been undertaken at European Union level during the United Kingdom Presidency. The manufacture and distribution of such kits is essentially a matter for individual member states in accordance with their domestic legislation.
As far as the application of drug testing equipment to law enforcement purposes is concerned, the European Commission is taking forward a research project to identify the requirements for roadside drug testing equipment, which will make a comparative assessment of existing equipment or prototypes. The project is expected to start before the end of 1998.