Substance Misuse (Hansard, 7 April 1998)

§ Mr. Win Griffiths

"Forward Together", a five-year strategy to combat drug and alcohol misuse in Wales, has been in place since 1996. A Welsh Advisory Committee on Drug and Alcohol Misuse advises the Secretary of State on the implementation of the strategy. The Welsh Drug and Alcohol Unit, on contract to the Welsh Office, assists in the implementation of the strategy. The Unit provides practical and administrative support to those involved in combating drug and alcohol misuse.

Within the framework of "Forward Together", a Strategic Prevention Action Plan (SPAP) has been developed and widely disseminated in Wales. The SPAP will raise awareness and increase the level of preventive action for the population as a whole as well as targeting specific groups such as parents, young people and children. All schools, drug and alcohol agencies and other relevant organisations have been encouraged to work to support the Plan.

As part of the overall strategy several free bilingual resources are being distributed to those working in the field of prevention with young people. These include "50/50"—a bilingual magazine designed for young people and their parents; "The A Files"—a CD size alcohol leaflet for young people; and "Let's Talk"—a series of collectable postcards with a complimentary poster for young people.

The Department has issued circular guidance to Schools, "Drug Misuse: Prevention and Schools" (Ref 54/95). In partnership with health and social services, police and the community, schools have a responsibility to consider their response to drug misuse through appropriate education, including the teaching of certain aspects as part of National Curriculum, and through appropriate management of incidents on school premises. In support of this work, the circular guidance advocates that each school should have a drug prevention policy, to ensure that young people know and understand the risks of drug taking and alcohol misuse and have the knowledge and skills to resist.