§ 27. Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what special resources he plans to make available to the police and appropriate agencies in order to alleviate the social problems which emanate from drug abuse in the city of Glasgow.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Government's strategy to combat drug misuse and the specific measures that are being taken are described in the publication "Tackling Drug Misuse—A Summary of the Government's Strategy" (Third Edition, 1988), copies of which are in the Library.
The deployment of police resources is a matter for chief constables. Strathclyde police attaches a very high priority to tackling drug misuse. Since 1979 the force's drug squad, which is based at Glasgow, has been increased from 18 to 34 officers. In addition, since 1986 we have authorised increases totalling 31 officers in the strength of the Scottish crime squad to allow the formation of drugs wings, one of which is based at Glasgow.
As for other agencies, the sum allocated to Greater Glasgow health hoard for the support of drug misuse services in 1989–90 is £466,861. In addition, from 1989–90 we are making available to health boards generally a further £1 million per annum for the development of these services. The provision of such services is, however, primarily the responsibility of health boards and local authorities.