Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to prevent the (a) sale and (b) use of the drug flakka.

“Flakka” is a street name for some cathinones. Cathinones and related compounds are controlled under Class B of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and it is an offence to possess, supply or produce them.Tough enforcement is a fundamental part of our approach to tackling drugs and we are working across Government to address the drivers behind drug-related crime and help prevent further substance misuse and offending.

The UK Drugs Summit took place on 27 February. The Summit brought together all four nations of the United Kingdom to consider the challenges we are facing and to reflect on what more can be done to address drug supply and reduce drug harms. The Prime Minister has also established a Cabinet committee on crime which will help to drive cross-Government action in this area.

The Government is taking action to reduce demand for drugs, and to build recovery and treatment to tackle harmful substances such as these. We are investing in evidence-based programmes to prevent young people using drugs, for example, we support Rise Above, an online resilience building resource aimed at 11 to 16-year-olds, and FRANK, the national drugs information and advice service.