Written question asked by Peter L Pike (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 February 2001. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 February 2001 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, What new steps are under consideration in the Government's campaign to combat drug misuse. (Failed OPQ). - Inc figures and ref to UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's Second National Plan, published last year, in Library.

Answer: Mr. Pike: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what new steps are under consideration in the Government's campaign to combat drug misuse. [148781] Mr. Ian McCartney: The Government's future proposals for tackling drug misuse are outlined in the UK Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator's Second National Plan, published last year. Measures include: Internationally: to support international partners by disrupting production and trafficking of illegal drugs to reduce the availability of controlled drugs entering the UK Nationally: to establish the National Treatment Agency from 1 April 2001 to ensure delivery of high quality treatment services across the country from spring 2001 to pilot three sites for extending drug testing across the criminal justice system to complement the existing Arrest Referral Schemes and Drug Treatment and Testing Orders. Locally: we are reorganising the Drug Action Teams (DATs) in England to align with local authority boundaries. The Drugs strategy is underpinned by forward expenditure of up to £1 billion by 2003-04 as part of the Spending Review 2000.

Secondary information