§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what expenditure his Department has(a) incurred and (b) planned for addressing the health problems created by the use of controlled drugs which was not planned for on 1 May 1997. [39392]
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§ Mr. MilburnExpenditure in 1997/98 was within the framework of existing plans. For 1998/99, the Department has, within existing resources increased the special drug misuse allocation to health authorities for the development of services for drug misusers from £37.2 million to £41.3 million; agreed to grants of £1.3 million for a number of voluntary organisations carrying out drug treatment and prevention work under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968; placed a £2 million contract with the Health Education Authority; and planned to invest a further £3 million on drug prevention activity during the course of the year.
My right hon. Friend the President of the Council announced publication of the new drugs strategy on 27 April 1998, Official Report, columns 26–41. All future anti-drugs activity and expenditure by the Government will then be developed in accordance with this strategy.