§ Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated total cost and cost per capita of introducing free needles to drug addicts.
§ Mrs. CurrieMy right hon. Friend announced in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Halifax (Mr. Galley) on 18 December 1986, at column703, the establishment of a small number of schemes where drug misusers will be able both to receive counselling and exchange used needles and syringes for sterile equipment. Discussions about the operation of these schemes are currently under way in a number of locations. The costs involved will depend upon the detailed arrangements which have yet to be finalised but we expect them to be small.
With regard to the cost of supply free injecting equipment to drug misusers on a wider basis, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 5 December 1986, at column 822.