§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what is the nature of the co-operation between the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy; in what ways the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator co-operates with the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy; and what agreements the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has signed with the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy. [113088]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe UK and US Governments maintain a wide-ranging dialogue on drugs issues. There are regular exchanges of information and expertise on all aspects of anti-drugs work. The relationship is excellent.
General Barry McCaffrey, the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy visited the UK from 24–26 October 1999 for discussions with Ministers—including myself—and officials. During this visit the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator Keith Hellawell met General McCaffrey and held discussions on drug control policies and initiatives. UK and US officials also held bilateral meetings to discuss a number of drug related topics at this time. The following areas were covered:
At the end of this visit, the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator and the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy issued a Joint 3W Communiqué noting satisfaction with their discussions and pledging continued co-operation between the two countries on drugs policy.
- drug prevention/research programmes;
- drug treatment programmes;
- drugs and criminal offenders;
- drug-related science and technology applications;
- trends in drug availability and drug markets;
- performance measures in national strategies;
- doping in sports.