§ Mr. AmessTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the achievements of his Department in reducing drug abuse; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ButcherEducation support grants have been provided by the Department for the last three years to facilitate the employment by local education authorities of drugs education co-ordinators. the third year of funding in 1988–89 will support 70 per cent. of LEA expenditure of up to £2.3 million. Support in 1989–90 will amount to 50 per cent. of LEA expenditure up to a total of £2.4 million. In 1989–90 the Department is also for a third year supporting drugs education in-service traning for teachers under the LEA training grants scheme. The Department will fund 70 per cent. of the cost of such training up to a total expenditure of £1.7 million by LEAs. It is too early to judge the effectiveness of these measures in reducing drug abuse.