Written question asked by Lord Brady of Altrincham (Conservative) on Thursday, 23 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 2003. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2003 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-drugs campaigns in (a) the United States and (b) other EU countries.

Answer: Mr. Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of anti-drugs campaigns in (a) the United States and (b) other EU countries. [134837] Caroline Flint: The issue of drugs is common to many countries. However trends in drug use differ form one country to the next. It is therefore difficult to make comparisons between Britain and other countries. Part of the development of the "Frank" drugs campaign currently running in England and Wales was an assessment of the effectiveness of campaigns in the United States and in European Union member states. These supported the findings of research in this country that campaigns that aim to shock have at best limited success, because potential users do not associate themselves with the messages. What is needed instead is reliable information and advice for personal contacts of potential users and for potential users themselves. The Frank campaign has been designed in that light.

Secondary information