§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the number of drug abuses (a) on Merseyside and (b) in the north-west.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergEstimates of the number of drug misusers in particular regions are not made centrally.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will improve services for drug abuse on Merseyside and in the north-west.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Rugby (Mr. Pawsey) on 1 December 1982—[Vol. 33, c.215–216]—regarding the action we are taking to improve services.
It is for regional health authorities to develop a policy for meeting local needs in this field. We have consulted health and local authorities and voluntary and professional bodies on the report on treatment and rehabilitation by the advisory council on the misuse of drugs* and we are now considering the comments received. In the meantime we are making available £2 million in 1982–83 and a similar sum in each of the two succeedng years—for grants to authorities and voluntary organisations to enable them more rapidly to introduce improved arrangements for responding to the needs of people with drug-related problems.
* Published by HMSO 1982—Price £3.95 net.