HC Deb 13 November 2003 vol 413 cc425-6W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources his Department plans to use to counter drug misuse. [137822]

Caroline Flint

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced a major increase in overall direct annual funding that will underpin the Government's updated Drug Strategy on 3 December 2002 as follows.

Government direct expenditure
(£ billion)
2003–04 1.244
2004–05 1.344
2005–06 1.483

The Home Office is working in close partnership with other Government Departments, including the Department of Health, Department for Education and Skills and HM Customs and Excise, to ensure that these resources are invested to counter drug misuse and deliver Drug Strategy objectives and targets.

Significant tranches of Home Office investment announced recently include £190.2 million to fight crime and drug abuse and £107 million to help steer young people away from a life of drugs and crime.