Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he plans to take to help reduce the use of (a) nitazenes and (b) other illicit substances in areas where there is growing use of such synthetic substances.

The Department is monitoring and responding to the threat posed by the growing levels of nitazenes and other potent synthetic drugs. It is vital that steps are taken to reduce the use of these substances, including by increasing awareness of their dangers. The Government has a drug information and advice service called Talk to FRANK which aims to reduce drug misuse and its harms by providing awareness to young people and to parents. Information on synthetic opioids and the danger of their misuse is available at the following link:

https://www.talktofrank.com/drug/synthetic-opioids

Education on drug use is also a statutory component of relationships and sex education, and health education in England. The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and the Department for Education have commissioned lesson plans and other resources to support teachers to deliver quality drug prevention, which are available to schools. The lesson plans target primary and secondary students, teaching them how to manage influences and pressure, and keep themselves healthy and safe. These resources are in the process of being updated and there will be increased emphasis on the risks of synthetic drugs.

The Department has also invested an additional £532 million into drug and alcohol treatment and recovery provision between 2022/23 and 2024/25, to ensure those in need can access high quality help and support. For those using opiates, treatment is the safest place to be.