Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to safeguard young people by preventing the use of controlled drugs.

The Government’s Drug Strategy is clear that we are committed to reducing the number of young people using drugs. Our approach combines universal action with targeted action for those most at risk or already misusing drugs and includes investing in a range of evidence-based programmes. This includes developing its ‘Talk to FRANK’ service, continuing to develop and promote the ‘Rise Above’ digital hub and developing school-based prevention resources to support the roll out of Relationship, Sex and Health Education from September 2020. This material uses evidence-based approaches to give children and young people the resilience and critical thinking skills needed to support decisions around drug use.

One of the themes of part two of Dame Carol Black’s review of drugs will be preventing drug use by young people, in addition to supporting their treatment and recovery.