§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the evidence of trends in the level of drug abuse in Northern Ireland during the past five years; and if he will give details of(a) drugs, by type, seized and their street value and (b) the number of convictions by category.
§ Mr. Mates[holding answer 1 February 1993]: The quantities and types of drugs seized during the period specified are set out in table 1 which also indicates the trends in drug abuse during the period. Table 2 lists the related convictions over the same time scale.
It is not possible accurately to assess the street value of the drugs seized as the value varies according to availability, quality and demand.
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Offence 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Obstructing powers of search for drugs — — 1 — 1 Attempting producing controlled drugs — — 1 — — Attempted possessing controlled drug 4 — — — — Conspiracy possessing controlled drug 1 — — — — Permitting possessing controlled drug — 1 — — — Totals 132 133 113 153 274