HC Deb 20 November 1985 vol 87 cc195-6W
Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the findings and data obtained in the report of the standing conference on drug abuse fieldwork survey in the Greater Glasgow health board published in October, a copy of which has been sent to him.

Mr. John MacKay

This valuable report, which was commissioned and funded by my Department, recognises the difficulty of making accurate assessments of the nature and extent of drug misuse. The extent of the problem in local communities must therefore be kept under continuous review by all agencies concerned. This should provide the basis for determining the need for treatment and rehabilitation services and for developing appropriate local strategies for prevention. The report also stresses the need for effective arrangements for co-operation and co-ordination among local agencies concerned with the problem of drug misuse.

Mrs. McCurley

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will indicate the steps that are being taken to involve the education service in Scotland in the campaign against drug misuse in Scotland.

Mr. Younger

The education service has an important part to play in combating drug misuse among young people in Scotland. I have today issued a circular to education authorities which outlines various measures being taken to help and encourage them in this. In addition to the continuing public information and education campaign to prevent and discourage drug misuse which was launched by the Scottish Health Education Group in February, the circular describes two new initiatives:

  1. (i) over the years 1985–86 and 1986–87 I am providing funds totalling £57,000 to the Consultative Committee on the Curriculum for a project for the preparation of teaching materials which has been set up in liaison with Strathclyde Regional Council. It is expected that materials from this project will be available to schools throughout Scotland during session 1986–87;
  2. (ii) the specific grant scheme for in-service training 1985–86 has been extended to cover training programmes introduced by education authorities for key teachers on drugs issues on the basis of guidelines drawn up by a national planning group chaired by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Schools. A sum of £100,000 has been set aside in 1985–86 for this purpose. The scheme will continue in 1986–87.

In addition in the course of its normal visits to schools Her Majesty's Inspectorate will discuss with headteachers their school policies and machinery for tackling drug misuse.

I seek the co-operation of all sectors of the education service in combating the growing menace of drug misuse and I hope that the initiatives introduced today will make a positive contribution to that end.

A copy of the circular introducing these new measures (SED Circular No. 1135) has been laid in the House Library.