HC Deb 31 January 1997 vol 289 cc400-1W
Mr. Merchant

To ask the Secretary of State Health what assessment he has made of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs in its report on volatile substance abuse. [14208]

Mr. Burns

The Government welcome this thoughtful and thorough report and its recommendations. A copy of the Government's response has been placed in the Library.

The Government share the advisory council's view that although volatile substance abuse has characteristics in common with other types of drug misuse, it has particular problems of its own which merit specific attention.

While the number of deaths associated with VSA has fallen from 151 in 1990 to 57 in 1994, the Government are committed to continuing the pressure to reduce and ultimately eliminate such deaths. Since the advisory council's report was presented to Ministers, a wide range of action which broadly reflects the ACMD's recommendations has been taken, including:

  • the Department of Health has agreed a contract with St. George's hospital medical school to produce an annual report on the number of VSA-associated deaths;
  • the Department funded the Health Education authority 1995 national drugs campaign survey which brought to light new information on the prevalence of VSA. The HEA has extended the 1996 survey to include items about prevalence and behaviour patterns associated with VSA;
  • the Department has funded the National Children's Bureau solvent misuse project to become a national resource for the collection and dissemination of information on VSA, including details of education and training materials;
  • the National Children's bureau has surveyed drug action teams to establish the extent of their involvement in VSA work at local level;
  • the Department for Education and Employment has issued guidance to schools on VSA. The Department of health and the British Manufacturers Association have jointly funded the Advisory Council on Alcohol and Drug Education—TACADE—to produce a resource pack to facilitate VSA education in primary schools;
  • the Department also funded an HEA advertising campaign in autumn 1996, targeted at parents to raise awareness of the dangers of VSA;
  • a VSA Industry Forum has been established to examine the advisory council's recommendations specific to industry. The Department of Trade and Industry has sponsored research on behalf of the forum into the effectiveness of product labelling. The forum is considering the introduction of voluntary product labelling;
  • manufacturers and retailers of cigarette lighter gas refills have voluntarily introduced 25 ml refill cans and emphasis has shifted from larger cans.