§ Mr. David HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement following his visit to the exhibition "Images of Drugs" in Southwark.
§ Mr. JackThe exhibition, which was opened by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, brings together the knowledge and experience of local people into a creative picture in a variety of media about the effects of drugs misuse. The exhibition is now on tour throughout the borough to schools, youth clubs, local business sites and others requesting the project for their own drug prevention purposes. It gives the people of Southwark a chance to speak in their own language about the effects of drugs on their community. The opening event, which I attended with the princess, also provided a splendid opportunity for some of the excellent local projects sponsored by the Southwark drugs prevention team to publicise their activities. I am confident that royal and ministerial attendance will have encouraged future activities, by providing a high profile focus for drugs prevention in Southwark.
In European Drugs Prevention Week, I am particularly glad to have the opportunity of praising the exhibition. It is a splendid example of how the Home Office drug prevention initiative is mobilising all sections of the community—including the business community—both in recognising the major challenge which they face and in their commitment to work together to find solutions.