Written question asked by Peter L Pike (Labour) on Wednesday, 30 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 May 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Monday, 12 May 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment has been made of the success of the international war on drugs; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Pike: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment has been made of the success of the international war on drugs; and if he will make a statement. [111565] Mr. Mike O'Brien: In April, the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs concluded that since the Special Session of the UN General Assembly on Drugs in 1998 there had been mixed success in combating illegal narcotics. Many countries have put in place or strengthened measures to reduce demand for illicit drugs and to provide treatment for those affected. Improvements have also been made in national and international co-operation on supply reduction and law enforcement. But serious problems remain. The UK will continue to devote effort and resources to tackling the drugs problem at home and internationally, particularly in Afghanistan, where the creation of alternative economic activities is vital to the success of the fight against the international drug problem and to the stability of the region.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 111565; 405 c76W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Drugs International cooperation Misuse Smuggling UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk