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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Public consulted on drug strategy | Public consulted on drug strategy |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The government is to launch what it says is the country's biggest public consultation on tackling drugs. | The government is to launch what it says is the country's biggest public consultation on tackling drugs. |
| Jacqui Smith, who last week admitted having taken cannabis at university, will outline plans such as more drug education for children aged under 11. | Jacqui Smith, who last week admitted having taken cannabis at university, will outline plans such as more drug education for children aged under 11. |
| The home secretary will also announce an extra £5m for the Talk to Frank awareness campaign for young people. | The home secretary will also announce an extra £5m for the Talk to Frank awareness campaign for young people. |
| And, as Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already said, there will be a review of the reclassification of cannabis. | |
| Ms Smith is outlining the government's plans in Parliament less than a week after admitted smoking cannabis while she was at Oxford University in the 1980s. | Ms Smith is outlining the government's plans in Parliament less than a week after admitted smoking cannabis while she was at Oxford University in the 1980s. |
| Her admission prompted a string of fellow Cabinet ministers to reveal their own drug-taking experiences. | Her admission prompted a string of fellow Cabinet ministers to reveal their own drug-taking experiences. |
| Treatment programmes | Treatment programmes |
| Two other departments will be involved in the consultation with the Home Office - the Department for Children, Schools and Families, run by Ed Balls, who said he never smoked cannabis, and the Department of Health. | Two other departments will be involved in the consultation with the Home Office - the Department for Children, Schools and Families, run by Ed Balls, who said he never smoked cannabis, and the Department of Health. |
| I want to hear fresh and constructive ideas on how we can build on our achievements with the new drug strategy Jacqui SmithHome Secretary | I want to hear fresh and constructive ideas on how we can build on our achievements with the new drug strategy Jacqui SmithHome Secretary |
| The consultation paper will focus on drug-treatment programmes and the wider anti-drugs strategy in a bid to update the current drug strategy which finishes in March 2008. | The consultation paper will focus on drug-treatment programmes and the wider anti-drugs strategy in a bid to update the current drug strategy which finishes in March 2008. |
| It is being launched as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence issues new guidelines for treating addicts, which could see some offered shopping vouchers in return for staying off drugs. | It is being launched as the National Institute for Clinical Excellence issues new guidelines for treating addicts, which could see some offered shopping vouchers in return for staying off drugs. |
| The public, including current and ex-drug users, have until 19 October to respond to the 40-question consultation paper. | The public, including current and ex-drug users, have until 19 October to respond to the 40-question consultation paper. |
| Among the questions are whether children under the age of 11 should be specifically targeted in anti-drugs campaigns. | Among the questions are whether children under the age of 11 should be specifically targeted in anti-drugs campaigns. |
| The Home Office paper says that 17% of 11 to 15 year olds in England and Wales have said they have used drugs. | The Home Office paper says that 17% of 11 to 15 year olds in England and Wales have said they have used drugs. |
| Other figures show that more than half of robberies, burglaries and thefts involved drug users. | Other figures show that more than half of robberies, burglaries and thefts involved drug users. |
| Success rates | Success rates |
| This link led to the Drugs Intervention Programme which sees testing on arrest and offers of treatment. | This link led to the Drugs Intervention Programme which sees testing on arrest and offers of treatment. |
| While the numbers under treatment have steadily increased, the consultation paper also wants to gather views on how to improve the success rate. | While the numbers under treatment have steadily increased, the consultation paper also wants to gather views on how to improve the success rate. |
| Government figures show that for every pound spent on drugs treatment the health service and the criminal justice system saves nearly £10. | Government figures show that for every pound spent on drugs treatment the health service and the criminal justice system saves nearly £10. |
| The government's main aim is to tackle drugs by toughening enforcement against dealers, educating young people and treating drug users. | The government's main aim is to tackle drugs by toughening enforcement against dealers, educating young people and treating drug users. |
| The cannabis classification review will last for six months, with the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs reporting to the government early next year. | The cannabis classification review will last for six months, with the independent Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs reporting to the government early next year. |
| It will take into account the fact that there are now far stronger strains of cannabis available. | It will take into account the fact that there are now far stronger strains of cannabis available. |
| Strategy update | Strategy update |
| Ms Smith said: "Drug use has fallen by 24% among young people since 1998, we have cut drug related crime by 20% 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. | Ms Smith said: "Drug use has fallen by 24% among young people since 1998, we have cut drug related crime by 20% 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." | "That is why I want to hear fresh and constructive ideas on how we can build on our achievements with the new drug strategy." |
| To find out what the public wants the Home Office will run workshops and events with community members, families and current and ex-drug users to ask how it should tackle drugs. | To find out what the public wants the Home Office will run workshops and events with community members, families and current and ex-drug users to ask how it should tackle drugs. |
| It will also distribute 200,000 leaflets to police stations, libraries, doctors' surgeries and community groups across in England and Wales. | It will also distribute 200,000 leaflets to police stations, libraries, doctors' surgeries and community groups across in England and Wales. |