§ Mr. RathboneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to publish the report of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorThe advisory council's report "Problem Drug Use: A Review of Training" was published today. Copies have been placed in the Library. The Government welcome this report and are grateful to the council for its 563W comprehensive study of training. If the Government's strategy for tackling drug misuse is to have the most impact, it is clearly important that all those whose work brings them into contact with problem drug users are properly trained. The training needs of teachers and others involved in prevention programmes must also be considered. The threat of the transmission of HIV infection, which gives rise to AIDS, through the sharing of injecting equipment, highlights the importance of ensuring that all who deal with the treatment or prevention of drug misuse have developed the right skills to deal with the problems.
The council's recommendations are directed at central and local government, health authorities, academic and professional bodies, the police and probation services and other health agencies including non-statutory drug services. The report will, therefore, be widely distributed. The Government will be responding to the report when it has had an opportunity to consider the recommendations fully.