§ 7. Mr. ChopeTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office when she last met the drugs co-ordinator to discuss drug abuse. [133643]
§ Marjorie MowlamI met Keith Hellawell, the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator, on 17 October to discuss a wide range of drug issues in pursuance of the Government's anti-drugs strategy.
§ 8. Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans she has to tackle the use of illegal drugs in rural areas. [133644]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyDrug Action Teams are the main mechanism for delivery of the anti-drugs strategy on the ground, whether in rural areas or in inner cities. All Drug Action Teams are required to plan and deliver an effective programme of activities for drugs in line with the National Strategy. Drug Action Teams identify gaps in their provision and seek to address this. Hertfordshire DAT has been highlighted as high-performing: with programmes in all LEA schools; on drug awareness in the workplace; and to reduce the availability of drugs in prisons.
§ 10. Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the progress of the drug action teams. [133646]
§ Marjorie MowlamThe effectiveness of drug action teams (DATs) is measured by an annual planning and reporting process based on plans and reports submitted by each DAT. The analysis of this year's plans and their reports for the financial year 1999–2000 has recently been completed. A summary is due for publication later this month in the co-ordinator's annual report.
§ 20. Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what priority she will give to treatment as part of the anti-drugs strategy. [133656]
§ Marjorie MowlamIt is a key aim of the Government's anti-drugs strategy to enable people with drug problems to overcome them and live healthy and crime-free lives. It is for this reason that the recent spending review will see an increase in the annual spend on treatment services, including within prisons, to over £400 million by 2003–04.