Julie Morgan MP

Drugs: Our Community, Your Say

The Government has announced that it is to take a radical new look at its approach to drugs in Britain, building on the success of the drug strategy published in 1998.

As part of this, the Government has begun a consultation asking MPs and members of the public to put forward their views on how we can best educate young people about drugs, discourage drug use, treat drug addiction and mitigate its effects on society.

A short leaflet, available here, provides a description of the issues and also suggests 'key questions' to which the Government hopes to receive your answers. The full consultation document can be accessed here and provides a more detailed analysis of the issues to be considered. The consultation closes on Friday 19th October.

Julie is very interested to hear your views on how the Government should approach the problem of drugs in Britain and welcomes your comments on this blog or via the other means listed to the top right of the main blog page. Julie hopes to submit your views to the consultation in October, and looks forward to receiving your comments.

Your Priorities for the Ministers for Women

While much progress has been made, there are still many challenges facing women in today's Britain. In recognition of this fact, the Government has launched a consultation inviting MPs and members of the public to comment on the priorities for the Government's new Ministers for Women, Harriet Harman QC MP and Barbara Follett MP. The consultation document lays out three major priorities:

1. Supporting families, particularly as they bring up children and care for older and disabled relatives
2. Tackling violence against women and improving the way we deal with women who commit crimes
3. Empowering black and minority ethnic women to build cohesion within their communities and as a bridge between communities.

The full consultation document can be found here. Julie is very interested to know what the people of Cardiff North think of the priorities and encourages you to let her know so she can put your views across to the Ministers. All of your comments are welcomed whether made via this blog, email, telephone or post - full contact details are available to the right of this blog.

Public Meeting

Julie is holding a Public Meeting on Saturday 8th September to offer local people the chance to hear and participate in discussion of the proposals. The meeting will feature speakers (to be confirmed) with experience of the issues and will take place from 10am to 1pm at Ararat Baptist Church, Merthyr Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF14 1PT. Refreshments will be also be available. Julie looks forward to seeing you there for what should be a very interesting discussion.