HC Deb 24 November 1997 vol 301 cc435-6W
34. Gillian Merron

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the link between drugs and crime. [15813]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the link between drugs and crime. [15815]

Mr. George Howarth

The Home Office has a research programme designed to shed further light on the links between drugs and crime. In addition, a Home Office Drugs Prevention Initiative study is testing the impact of drug treatment interventions in the criminal justice system—from arrest through sentence and beyond—to refer people with drug problems to drug treatment programmes.

A new testing and treatment order will be introduced to give courts the powers to require drug misusing offenders to undergo treatment. The new order will be rigorously enforced and include the use of drug testing to ensure those in treatment are staying off illegal drugs.

The new United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator Keith Hellawell, has been appointed and will be supported by a Deputy, Michael Trace. The immediate priorities for the Co-ordinator will include reviewing existing action against drug misuse and submitting proposals to Ministers for a new strategy as quickly as possible, aimed at tackling drug problems through effective enforcement, treatment and education.

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