§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will commission research with a view to identifying the causes for the recent doubling in cases of drug abuse.
§ Mr. John MacKayPrevious research has failed to identify a single cause, or consistent pattern of multiple causes, of drug misuse. The Scottish Home and Health Department is, however, funding a study by the Standing Conference on Drug Abuse to establish the extent of the drug misuse problem in Glasgow. In the light of that study consideration will be given to a similar study being undertaken elsewhere in Scotland.