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26 July 2007
Investing a further £5.65 million in drugs education will boost our efforts to drive down drug misuse, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said today as she launched the country’s largest ever public consultation on tackling drugs.
The current drug strategy, which has delivered a 24% fall in drug use among young people since 1998, is due to end in March 2008.
Ministers from three key government departments now want to take a look at updating the government’s approach of tackling drugs through tough enforcement against dealers, education for young people and treatment for drug users.
The government is determined to be honest about where problems remain but ambitious to make a difference and build on progress to date.
The total number of drug offenders convicted of producing or dealing cocaine, crack or heroin rose by 6% between 2003 and 2004.
In addition, the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs will undertake a six month review of cannabis classification and make its recommendations to government early next year. This will take into account the fact that there are now far stronger strains of cannabis available.
Drugs: Our Community, Your Say (new window) aims to stimulate fresh and constructive ideas on how best to reduce the harm caused by drugs.
Under the spotlight are:
- Asking communities what more needs to be done to get drug dealers off their streets
Considering whether to expand drug education and awareness for younger people - Ensuring better continuity of care for drug users to keep them on the straight and narrow after drug treatment
- Enhancing supporting for young people and families to promote resilience against drug use
- Reviewing cannabis classification
- Stopping drugs coming into the country
- Better involving the community in providing information on drug related crimes.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:
“Drug use has fallen by 24 per cent among young people since 1998, we have cut drug related crime by 20 per cent in the last four years and record numbers of people are undergoing drug treatment, but we are not complacent and recognise there is much work to do. That is why I want to hear fresh and constructive ideas on how we can build on our achievements with the new Drug Strategy."
“I want to sharpen our focus, target the most vulnerable and educate the young. We need to ensure that treatment is effective and followed through and I know that many drug users need extra help to get their lives together and re-establish themselves within society."
“Working in tandem with professionals and police, we have achieved much through our strategy of enforcement, early intervention, education and treatment. More than 74 tonnes of Class A drugs, worth £3 billion, were seized last year which makes a big contribution to reducing the harm caused by illegal substances. I want to build on that success and will continue to prioritise reducing the harm caused by drugs."
“Education is a vital part of our strategy. I am delighted to announce over £5 million for the Frank drug awareness campaign which provides a crucial role in discouraging young people from taking illegal drugs."
Today is the start of the largest consultation programme on drugs to date. The Home Office is working with Ipsos Mori who will run a series of workshops and events with community members, families and current and ex drug users to ask how the harm caused by drugs can be cut even further. In addition, the Home Office will be distributing 200,000 public consultation leaflets to police stations, libraries and community groups across the country to engage people in how we can drive down drug use in England and Wales."
Department for Children, Schools and Families Secretary of State Ed Balls, said:
"Drugs can ruin lives, which is why those who are working to help young people need to understand why they might be tempted to use drugs and offer them the support they need."
"By asking all schools to continue to provide effective drugs education to pupils of all ages we can help young people avoid using drugs in the first place. We know that this kind of work can be really effective in influencing attitudes amongst young people."
Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said:
"Thanks to unprecedented NHS investment an estimated 190,000 people received treatment for drug misuse last year - up from 85,000 in 1998 - with almost 80 per cent remaining in treatment for at least three months.
“Treatment works. It helps people put their lives back together and it means they no longer need money to buy drugs. Since 2003 drug-related crimes have fallen by 20 per cent."
Notes to editors
- The Drug Strategy consultation, Drugs: Our Community, Your Say (new window), will run for three months
- The new Drug Strategy will be implemented in April 2008
- The £5.65 million for the Frank drug awareness campaign is for the current financial year
- The strategy applies largely to England and Wales, but some aspects – for example classification – cover the UK as a whole
