§ 14. Mr. PikeTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what new steps are under consideration in the Government's campaign to combat drug misuse. [148781]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Government's future proposals for tackling drug misuse are outlined in the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's second national plan, published last year.
Measures include:
Internationally:
to support international partners by disrupting production and trafficking of illegal drugs to reduce the availability of controlled drugs entering the UKNationally:
to establish the National Treatment Agency from 1 April 2001 to ensure delivery of high quality treatment services across the countryfrom spring 2001 to pilot three sites for extending drug testing across the criminal justice system to complement the existing Arrest Referral Schemes and Drug Treatment and Testing Orders.Locally:
we are reorganising the Drug Action Teams (DATs) in England to align with local authority boundaries.The drugs strategy is underpinned by forward expenditure of up to £1 billion by 2003–04 as part of the Spending Review 2000.
§ 16. Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the progress of the Government's anti-drugs policy. [148784]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator published his annual report for 1999–2000 on 7 November 2000.
186WThe report shows that we are making progress towards meeting the challenging targets we have set as part of our 10-year anti-drugs strategy. Most of our annual targets were met in full and we are on track to deliver published targets for 2002.
On the Wirral there have been considerable improvements in the treatment services available to drug users, including a significant reduction in waiting lists for treatment. In recent months a needs assessment of the need of young people has been completed and a plan of action is being developed to meet the gaps in provision identified in the report People needing advice and other assistance because of their drug use are likely to approach the Response Service based in Birkenhead, Wirral Drug Services, which includes a specialist service for young people and/or the Wirral Solvent Misuse Project.
§ 23. Shona McIsaacTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the progress of the Government's anti-drugs policy. [148792]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyThe Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator published his annual report for 1999–2000 on 7 November 2000.
The report shows that we are making progress towards meeting the challenging targets we have set as part our 10-year anti-drugs strategy. Most of our annual targets were met in full and we are on track to deliver published targets for 2002.
Within the Cleethorpes area, a number of initiatives are in place which address the needs of young people and drug misuse. These include training programmes for professionals working with young people; advice and information offered as part of a 'Nightclub' project; and a young people's conference to address drugs issues.
§ 24. Fiona MactaggartTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the impact of the Government's national drugs strategy has been in(a) Slough and (b) other towns on the periphery of London. [148793]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneyWe are making good progress nationwide in all areas of the Government's anti-drugs strategy as reported in the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's annual report for 1999–2000, published on 7 November 2000, Effective delivery of the strategy at local level is essential if we are to succeed. In support of this, we are realigning Drug Action Teams along local authority boundaries. This means that Slough now has its own DAT. This should help address local priorities such as outreach services for young misusers; and develop better links with other outer-London Boroughs, which are far more similar in terms of drug and social exclusion issues, than the majority of Berkshire.