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Drugs: Misuse

Answer

The Government initiated in 1998, a 10 year national Drug Strategy which introduced a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach to tackling the harms caused by drugs through a focus on prevention, education, early intervention, treatment and strong enforcement. This approach has delivered results.British Crime Survey data collected since 1996 shows that, at 10.0 per cent. overall use of any illicit drug in the last year by 16 to 59-year-olds is at its lowest level since the British Crime Survey (BCS) started measurement.The Young People and Drugs Programme has been established which provides a range of universal, targeted and specialist services for young people, including vulnerable groups. The FRANK campaign has been launched to inform young people and their parents and carers about the dangers and risks involved with drug use. The Positive Futures Programme has been established to provide diversionary activities for young people at risk of drug misuse.The Government have significantly increased investment in treatment services which has seen record numbers of drug users accessing structured treatment. A national target to double the number of users in treatment by 2008 has already been achieved two years earlier than anticipated.New innovative approaches to tackle the link between drugs and acquisitive crime and promote treatment including new legislation, new sentencing measures and the Drug Interventions Programme (DIP) have been introduced. Over 3,000 drug misusing offenders per month are now entering treatment through the programme. Since the introduction of DIP recorded acquisitive crime—to which drug-related crime makes a significant contribution—has fallen by 20 per cent.Tough legislation has also been introduced to reduce the incentives for individuals and organised criminal groups to become involved in dealing and trafficking. Increasing quantities of drugs are being seized and organised crime groups and dealers disrupted.The Government want to build upon the good progress made to date which is why we have been consulting on the development of the new Drug Strategy.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

157715; 465 c1269-70W

Session

2006-07

Subjects

Drugs Misuse

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk