HC Deb 04 July 1985 vol 82 c231W
32. Dr. Mawhinney

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's latest measures to combat drug abuse.

Mr. Mellor

Government measures to combat drug misuse were set out in "Tackling Drug Misuse: A Summary of the Government's Strategy", which was published in March and a copy of which is in the Library. Subsequent initiatives have included an increase to £11.5 million in DHSS central funding for treatment and rehabilitation projects; the launch of an advertising campaign in England and Wales; the publication of a summary of English health authorities' plans for improving services for drug misuser; a scheme under the education support grant arrangements, costing up to £2 million in 1986–87, to enable each local education authority in England and Wales to appoint an officer to co-ordinate preventive action; and the appointment of 50 more Customs specialist drugs investigators.