§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the evidence of trends in the level of drugs abuse in Northern Ireland during 1993 and 1994; and if he will give details of(a) drugs, by type, seized and their street value and (b) the number of convictions by category. [16409]
§ Sir John WheelerThe drug scene in NI is similar to that of the rest of the UK and the Republic of Ireland with the exception of heroin and cocaine abuse, levels of which are extremely low. The trend in NI is for an increasing availability of ecstasy, LSD and cannabis. There is a strong drug culture among young people.
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(a) Drugs seized in Northern Ireland 1993 and 1994 1993 1994 Cannabis 44.5 kilos 81.9 kilos (resin) 419 plants 7.1 kilos (herbal) 66 plants MDMA (Ecstasy) 2,923 tablets 23,853 tablets 168 gms powder LSD 8.022 doses 15,392 doses 92 microdots 900 (fake) Amphetamines 1,728 doses 7.7 kilos powder 2,858 wraps (powder) 242 tablets 200 speedballs Opiates (inc. Heroin) 363 gms 34 gms Cocaine 19 gms 1,092 gms As the availability of drugs increases, supply outstrips demand and the cost of drugs reduces.
The street values of drugs in NI at present are as follows:
- Cannabis: £10 per gram
- LSD: £3–5 per tab
- Ecstasy: £12–15 per tablet
- Amphetamines: £10 per gram
(b) Persons found guilty in NI of drug offence 1993 and 1994 Offence 1993 1994 Importing controlled drug 3 3 Exporting controlled drug 0 1 Producing controlled drug 15 10 Supplying controlled drug 16 27 Permitting supplying controlled drug 0 1 Cultivating cannabis 3 4 Possessing controlled drug with intent to supply 71 68 Attempted possessing controlled drug with intent to supply 2 2 Possessing controlled drug 305 374 Attempted possessing controlled drug 1 1 Permitting premises to be used for supply of drugs 1 1 Permitting premises to be used for use of drugs 3 1 Obstructing powers of search for drugs 3 1