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Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 23 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 November 2005. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 December 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Drugs (Recreational Use)

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department is taking to monitor the prevalence of recreational use of drugs, with particular reference to methamphetamine; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

The British Crime Survey (BCS) is the chief monitoring tool used by the Home Office to measure the prevalence of controlled drugs. The BCS does not currently differentiate between methylamphetamine use and amphetamines in general. The prevalence of methylamphetamine in the United Kingdom is estimated to be very low based on the number and size of seizures.The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) published a report on methylamphetamine on 17 November 2005 which included recommendations regarding the development of an early warning system centred on ensuring those agencies that collect data on illicit drugs to make the distinction between amphetamine and methylamphetamine when recording data. The ACMD recommended the closer monitoring of certain sub groups such as clubbers, who are more likely to use methylamphetamine, and that the subject of methylamphetamine should be a standing agenda item at the ACMD technical committee meetings.The Government have accepted all the ACMD's recommendations, including taking preventative action to impose tight controls on methylamphetamine precursor chemicals. The ACMD undertook to provide an update to its advice in 12 months' time.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
32866; 440 c1911-2W;440 c1911-2W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
Drugs Misuse Methamphetamine
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk