MINISTER WHOSE SON DIED URGES FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS

A government minister whose son died from a heroin overdose earlier this
year made an emotional appeal to MPs yesterday to play their part in the
war against drugs.

The cabinet office minister, Ian McCartney was responding at Commons
question time to the Ulster Unionist MP, Martin Smyth, who asked what
progress was being made in directing cash away from known drug runners into
the fight against narcotics.

Mr McCartney replied the government was working internationally to prevent
drugs coming into Britain.

Rebuking MPs because of the level of noise in the chamber, he said: "I
would hope that members would listen because we are talking about the youth
of this country.

"Three thousand have died in the last year alone - and it could happen to
any one of you, so please listen.

"We must make clear in the 10-year plan that no drug baron, no drug cartel
or no drug dealer can feel safe in carrying on their evil activity in this
country.

"That requires the assistance of everybody in the community, the community
itself, local government, the health service, the police, customs and
excise and, dare I say it, this house working in cooperation itself."

Mr McCartney's son Hugh, 23, was found dead in a flat in east Glasgow in
September.

Labour MP Charlotte Atkins asked the minister what efforts were being made
to prevent young people getting into drugs in the first place, particularly
in rural areas.

Mr McCartney replied: "The government has set out basic targets to assist
young people, to prevent them getting involved in drugs in the first place
and, when they do become involved, to give them assistance both in their
lifestyle and in the treatment programmes - to get them out of drug use, to
sustain their education and employment and to give them and their families
space and opportunity to get a better and more healthier lifestyle."

The Conservative home affairs spokesman, David Lidington, said about half
of drug treatment and testing orders were being breached.

Mr McCartney said: "Without this action, there would be 100% failure. There
would be no young people being diverted into treatment programmes.

"There would be no young people being diverted from drugs into education
and training and there would be no young people being directed from the
street into protective environments.

"This programme has been successful and, because of it, children who would
have died in the next few years are now going to live."