News

13th February 2003

John Bowis speaks in debate about the prevention of drug-related diseases

Better measures to prevent the spread of drug dependency related diseases were supported by the European Parliament on 13th February.

A package of measures, promoted by Conservative MEPs, highlighted the UK experience of good practice schemes for extension across the EU, including needle exchange and information and counselling on less harmful drug use. Many of the measures were introduced by the last Conservative Government and are still available in the UK, including guidelines for clubs and other places where young people congregate. However, access to these schemes varies greatly between countries.

The latest figures show that while the numbers of HIV-related deaths among drug users in the UK has declined since its peak in 1995, it still remains a serious problem. An increasing area of concern is the potential increase in drug-related deaths posed by Hepatitis C. The Annual Report on the UK Drug Situation 2001 states that "a significant proportion of known cases of this infection has arisen through intravenous drug use."

John Bowis MEP, Conservative Health Spokesman in the European Parliament, said:

"The UK gets this right in so many ways, other countries should take a look and adopt some of our ideas. Prevention of drug-related diseases can be controlled if handled correctly. The advantages of schemes such as needle exchange not only protect the addicts, but the community at large.

"While we must continue to pursue measures to track down and subsequently stop drug trafficking and drug-related crime, it is clear that there is a role for Member States in the prevention of the spread of drug-related illnesses such as HIV and Hepatitis.

"UK reports show that 14% of 14-15 year olds take drugs. They also show 1,200 drug-related deaths per year. We must dissuade children and young people from stepping onto the slippery slope of drugs: but if they have taken the step, we cannot abandon them. We must try both to persuade them to stop and to reduce the harm to themselves and to other young people."