§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to deal with the widespread drug abuse now evident on housing estates in some of the larger cities.
§ Mr. MellorI have been asked to reply.
I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to her question on 15 November by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister—[Vol. 48, c. 360.]
§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the level of drug abuse on Merseyside.
§ Mr. MellorI have been asked to reply.
We are concerned that the level of drug misuse in Merseyside appears to have increased substantially over the last three years, as it has in many other parts of the country. The Government will continue to use all available means to tackle this problem, through efforts to stop the supply of illicit drugs at source, through effective law enforcement action by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise and the police, and through improvements in prevention programmes and treatment and rehabilitation services, taking into account recommendations of the advisory council on the misuse of drugs.