Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to reduce the number of deaths from illegal drug use.

Evidence based, high-quality treatment is the most effective way of tackling illicit and other harmful drug use. It enables people to recover from dependence, improves their physical and mental health and reduces the harm caused to themselves and people around them, including reducing crime.

We have provided local authorities, through the Public Health Grant, with millions of pounds to ensure that they are able to commission effective and efficient drug treatment services and are currently updating clinical guidance so that clinicians will have the latest evidence based guidance on how to help people with drug problems.

But we are clear that this has to be part of a balanced approach to drugs, so as well as helping people overcome their drug problems, we are also working to prevent and reduce drug use in our communities, while ensuring that our drugs laws are enforced.