Written question asked by Lord Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 14 January 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 January 1999. It was answered by Jon Owen Jones (Labour) on Monday, 25 January 1999 on behalf of the Welsh Office.

Welsh Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what progress he is making in his strategy to combat drugs abuse in (i) Wales and (ii) Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. - Includes refs to Welsh strategy 'Forward Together' and UK Anti-Drugs strategy 'Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain'.

Answer: Mr. Barry Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he is making in his strategy to combat drugs abuse in (i) Wales and (ii) Flintshire; and if he will make a statement. [66437] Mr. Jon Owen Jones: The Welsh substance misuse strategy `Forward Together' was launched in 1996. As part of this 5-year strategy, Drug and Alcohol Action Teams (DAATs) have been established in each of the five health authority areas in Wales, including North Wales. Each DAAT has reviewed the extent of the substance misuse problems in its area and has developed a local strategy to tackle them. `Forward Together', and the subsequent formation of the Flintshire Local Advisory Team, has led to a marked increased in the joint delivery of services and a better co-ordination of activity across Flintshire with significant progress against a number of the strategy's objectives. `Forward Together' is currently being reviewed in the light of the new UK Anti-Drugs strategy `Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain'.

Secondary information