Drug-related Deaths in England and Wales Debate

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Department: Department of Health and Social Care

Drug-related Deaths in England and Wales

Baroness Meacher Excerpts
Tuesday 26th November 2024

(4 weeks, 1 day ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Merron Portrait Baroness Merron (Lab)
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Our continuing work in this area is part of the Office for Life Sciences programme. This Government continue to fund research into wearable technology, virtual reality and artificial intelligence, all in a bid to support people with drug addictions. Since coming into office, we have awarded £12 million to projects across the UK that are showing innovation in respect of technology, because we want to support people with addictions.

Baroness Meacher Portrait Baroness Meacher (CB)
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My Lords, what steps are the Government taking to support vulnerable children in schools who, without support, are likely to become addicted to drugs, in order to ensure that they reduce the numbers of drug deaths?

Baroness Merron Portrait Baroness Merron (Lab)
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I assure the noble Baroness that education on drug use is an essential part of harm reduction and prevention. It is a statutory component of relationship, sex and health education.