HC Deb 27 July 1989 vol 157 c835W
Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Warrington, South, 29 June,Official Report, column 535, if he will explain the reasons which led to the conclusion that it would be counterproductive to reveal the inner-city areas targeted by drugs education co-ordinators in their campaign to persuade teenagers to say no to crack.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The Government believe that the threat of crack is best tackled locally, since the nature and scale of the problem, and hence the most suitable response, will vary from place to place. Drugs education co-ordinators and their colleagues in local youth, community and voluntary organisations are well placed to assess actual or potential problems in their areas and initiate responses. We have made clear to local agencies our readiness to provide appropriate support for their initiatives.