Written question asked by David Amess (Conservative) on Wednesday, 11 October 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 October 2006. It was answered by Caroline Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 October 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Volatile Substance Abuse

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department has taken to implement the volatile substance abusers framework since June 2005.

Answer: Since the volatile substance abusers (VSA) framework was published in July 2005, three working groups involving stakeholders have been established to help Government Departments implement and develop further the priority actions set out in the framework. There are three groups—butane, education and communication, and workforce planning.We expect to discuss progress to date and priorities for further action with our VSA stakeholders' group before the end of this year. Good progress has been made in including VSA issues within the FRANK campaign, including its helpline. Progress has been made in identifying research needs, with a study on the views of young people themselves having been published in March 2006. Work is under way to identify options further to limit the availability of butane refills for abuse by young people, including better enforcement of the current legal restrictions on sale to young people under 18.

Secondary information