HC Deb 21 June 1994 vol 245 cc114-5W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of deaths of children in each year since 1979 from substance abuse and from use of controlled drugs, by drug.

Mr. Bowis

Information on the number of deaths associated with the abuse of volatile substances and the number of deaths from the use of controlled drugs is shown in the tables. Data for the latter are not readily available for years prior to 1989.

Number of Deaths of Children (aged under 20) associated with the Abuse of Volatile Substances—Great Britain1
Number
1980 24
1981 33
1982 39
1983 58
1984 64
1985 88
1986 71
1987 79
1988 96
1989 71
1990 116
1991 77
1These figures were supplied by St. George's Hospital Medical School.

Number of deaths (whether an accident, suicide or undetermined) of Children (aged under 20) associated with controlled drugs, by drug—Great Britain 2
1989 1990 1991 1992
Amphetamine 0 0 0 1
Barbiturates 1 0 1 0
Benzodiazepines 7 2 3 10
Buprenorphine 0 0 0 0
Cannabis 1 0 1 0
Cocaine 0 0 1 0
Codeine 1 1 2 0
Dextromoramide 0 1 0 0
Dextroproxyphene 30 13 28 19
Diethylproprion — — 0 0
Dihydrocodeine 2 2 3 2
Dipipanone 0 0 0 0
Heroin 3 1 2 2
LSD — — 1 2
MDMA 1 — 4 0
Meprobromate 0 0 0 0
Methadone 4 6 8 20
Methaqualone 0 0 0 0
Morphine 0 4 1 5
Opiates 1 1 1 1
Pentazocine 0 1 0 0
Pethidine 0 1 0 0
Phentermine — 0 0 0
All deaths associated with controlled drugs 47 30 54 51
2This table shows the number of deaths where a controlled drug (listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) was mentioned in the records of deaths assigned to accidental and other poisoning by solid or liquid substances. Where two or more drugs are mentioned together the death is recorded against each drug but only once in the total.

—Indicates not published.

We are spending £5 million a year on campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of drug and solvent misuse. This includes a £2.6 million national television and press campaign which ran from January to March 1994 to encourage and help parents to talk to their children about drugs and solvents. We have produced information leaflets to help parents with this, as well as leaflets with factual information for young people.