Drugs (Hansard, 4 March 2003)

HC Deb 04 March 2003 vol 400 cc983-4W 983W

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health when his Department will have stocks of(a) The Score: Facts about drugs, (b) Drugs-The Facts A6 booklet, (c) A parent's guide to drugs and (d) drugs helpline cards; and if he will make a statement. [100030]

§ Ms Blears
[holding answer 28 February 2003]: It has been decided that the national drugs helpline cards will not be reprinted. This decision has been made in the light of upcoming new work on the development of a new national drugs campaign.
The following leaflets will be reprinted to cover the time period until the new campaign launches and the resources to support the campaign are available. It is expected that delivery into the warehouse for these leaflets will be:
The Score: Facts about drugs—17 March
Drugs: The facts—17 March
A parent's guide to drugs and alcohol—17 March
While these items have been out of stock we have continued to collect orders from customers and will despatch these items as soon as new stock is received.
984W

§ Sandra Gidley
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long the Department has been out of stock of(a) The Score: Facts about drugs, (b) Drugs the facts A6 booklet, (c) A parent's guide to drugs and (d) Drugs helpline cards: and what the reasons are in each case. [100031]

§ Ms Blears
[holding answer 28 February 2003]: The Score: Facts about drugs, Drugs, the facts A6 booklet and A parent's guide to drugs and alcohol all went out of stock in December 2002.
The National Drugs Helpline credit card went out of stock in January 2003.
We experienced higher than usual demand over the December and Christmas period for all drugs resources.
The Department of Health, in partnership with the Home Office and supported by the Department for Education and Skills, is currently developing a new national drugs campaign, which we anticipate will launch in late spring 2003.
The campaign will be supported by new material promoting a helpline service and providing information for young people and parents on the risks and dangers associated with drug use.