§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will commission research with a view to identifying the causes for the recent increase in cases of drug abuse.
§ Mr. MellorPrevious research has failed to identify any single cause, or consistent pattern of multiple causes, of drug misuse. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has recently agreed to fund an exploratory study of drug use by people aged 16–22; this will include an examination of some of the factors that may be associated with initiation into and continuation of drug taking.