Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Thursday, 17 July 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 July 2008. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2008 on behalf of the Home Office.

Drugs: Crime

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government plans to take to reduce levels of drug-related crime.

Answer: [holding answer 22 July 2008]: The new comprehensive 10-year drug strategy, Drugs: protecting families and communities and first three year action were published on 27 February. The strategy is focused on preventing the number of young people developing drug problems, targeting families at risk and intervening early through a whole family approach, protecting communities through robust enforcement by attacking drug supply at all levels and cutting drug-related crime and disorder.Key actions to reduce drug-related crime include:"Extending police powers to seize more of drug dealers’ (and other criminals’) assets, and further asset sharing agreements to allow seizure of assets sequestered overseas.""Continuing to present drug misusing offenders with tough choices to change their behaviour or face the consequences.""Managing offenders better at crucial times, such as on discharge into the community from prison, by reviewing and strengthening the links between prisons, local Criminal Justice Integrated Teams (CJITs)and probation services.""Responding to community concerns about drugs and through the Neighbourhood Policing approach, act on intelligence supplied and provide feedback to the community."

Secondary information