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Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Answer

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has had the following meetings since 1 November 2008:The ACMD"25 November 2008""23 and 24 March 2009""14 May 2009""19 June 2009""10 November 2009""14 December 2009"The Technical Committee"10 March 2008""6 July 2009""29 October 2009"The Prevention Working group - Hepatitis"22 January 2009"Anabolic Steroids Working Group"1 April 2009""1 October 2009"Pathways to Problems Working Group"10 June 2009"Cognitive Enhancers Working Group"8 August 2009""8 October 2009"New Psychoactive Substances Working Group"8 August 2009""8 October 2009"Polysubstance Use Working Group"30 August 2009"I understand that the ACMD is scheduled to meet to discuss the cathinones in February and has a Technical Committee and ACMD meeting scheduled for March.A recruitment campaign has been initiated to fill the statutory positions on the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Adverts will be placed for the positions by early February 2010. The appointment of new members will be made following open competition, and will be undertaken in accordance with the guidelines laid down by the Office of the Commission for Public Appointments (OCPA). The process will be scrutinised by an Independent Public Appointments Assessor. It is expected that these vacancies will be filled within three months of advertising.I met with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) on 10 November to discuss, and agree, ways in which the Council would function in the future. The outcome of this meeting is published in a joint statement"http://drugs.homeoffice.gov.uk/Joint_Statement_-_ACMD_HSec.pdf"The chair of the ACMD has stated that it is continuing to work to advise Government on issues concerning harmful drugs. As is normal practice, the ACMD can co-opt members where specific expertise is required and it is expected that new ACMD members will be recruited over the coming months. I therefore do not believe it is necessary to make any further assessment of the effects of the vacancies on the functioning of the ACMD.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

505 c904-5W; 312110

Session

2009-10

Subjects

Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs

Link

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