HC Deb 09 December 1996 vol 287 c76W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-drugs policies in reducing the consumption of(a) alcohol, (b) tobacco, (c) medicinal drugs, (d) ecstasy, (e) ketamine, (f) heroin and (g) cannabis. [7502]

Mr. Malone

Concerning illegal drug misuse, I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council gave my hon. Friend the Member for Lewes (Mr. Rathbone) on 13 May,Official Report, columns 341–42.

The Government's policies to prevent the misuse of alcohol and reduce the consumption of tobacco are subject to continuing evaluation.

The misuse of ketamine, which is not currently a controlled drug, is kept under review.

Matters relating to the prescription of medicinal drugs are for clinicians, who are expected to follow the general guidance which is available, especially that in the British National Formulary, copies of which are available in the Library.