HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc800-1W
32. Ms Dari Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department is doing to break the link between drugs and crime in the north-east. [57079]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

The links between drugs and crime are complex and deep rooted, and require a combined effort of police enforcement, treatment, education and diversionary activity.

In the north-east, the Home Office funds a number of initiatives to tackle drug misuse such as:

  • drug treatment and testing orders, available across the three north-east probation areas;
  • arrest referral schemes covering the three north-east police forces.

Additionally a range of activities are funded under the Communities Against Drugs programme, aimed at stemming the supply of drugs, helping people into treatment and strengthening communities to resist drugs. In the year 2001–02 a total of £2.5 million was made available for the north-east under this initiative to be spent on local projects. This is in addition to mainstream funding for police, health and education and the range of work to help regenerate deprived areas and tackle social exclusion.