To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the Minister of State for Crime Prevention has met with (a) chief constables and (b) police and crime commissioners to discuss combating prescription drug abuse in the last 12 months.

holding answer 13 January 2014

Home Office Ministers have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues and others as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

We are fully aware of the dangers of prescription drug misuse. This is why in September 2013 the Home Secretary asked the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) to explore the potential for medical and social harms arising from the diversion and illicit supply of prescription drugs. I have asked that this work includes consideration of the prevalence of misuse, user demographics, and the most common drugs being misused.

The ACMD is likely to report later in the year.