editorial comment Watching and waiting......

The prime minister is today set to make a keynote speech on the government's strategy for tackling drug abuse.

It will coincide with the publication of new figures expected to show an increase in illegal drug use across Europe.

Tony Blair's address will set out more details of the Drugs Bill announced in the Queen's Speech on Tuesday.

As part of the government's crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour Blair is determined to tackle drug users who commit a disproportionate number of offences.

The new bill seeks to extend the Drug Interventions Programme that aims to get addicted people who commit crimes into treatment.

Under the scheme those who test positive for Class A substances when charged are referred to specialist drug workers.

Under the new bill police would have the power to test and refer drug offenders when arrested rather than charged.

Blair is expected to say that crime has fallen in areas where drug intervention programmes have been in use and extending them will help fight criminality and the misery of drug addiction.

The bill also aims to strengthen the law against drug dealers by giving police greater power.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The government is working hard to tackle drugs and the harm they cause and in 1998 introduced the first cross-cutting strategy to tackle drugs in an integrated way.

"Central to the strategy, updated in 2002, is reducing the harm caused by the most dangerous, Class A drugs.

"This involves tough action against drug dealers; educating young people about the harm caused by drugs, diverting vulnerable young people away from drugs and getting substantially more drug users into treatment."

However the Conservatives have consistently criticised the government for sending out mixed messages by downgrading cannabis to Class C status and presiding over, what they say, is an increase in drug abuse.

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