§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what strategies he has put in place since 1 May 1997 (1) to support successful local projects involving police, local government, schools and businesses aimed at curbing the activities of dealers in illegal drugs; [26298]
(2) how many joint programmes to promote the education of young people as to the dangers of illegal drugs have been (i) undertaken and (ii) planned for since 1 May 1997 between his Department and (a) the Department for Education and Employment, (b) the Department of Health and (c) the President of the Council; [26301]
(3) how many programmes to promote the education of young people as to the dangers of illegal drugs his Department has initiated since 1 May 1997. [26269]
§ Mrs. Ann TaylorI have been asked to reply.
Since 1 May the Government have supported a range of existing activities against dealers through, for example, the Home Office Drug Prevention Initiative.
The police service has always taken a leading role in the fight against drugs. To reinforce this the Home Secretary, on 4 November 1997, set as one of the key objectives for policing in 1998–99
809Wto target drug-related crime in partnership with other agencies".The police have already forged working relationships with other agencies to counter drug misuse and drug-related crime; this will encourage even more co-operation.