THE Government is to be urged to mount a new drive to put youngsters off taking Ecstasy and other designer drugs.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans is to tell ministers that more must be done to warn teenagers that they not only kill, but they can cause long-term mental problems.

In a special debate in the Commons soon after MPs return in January, he will urge a new tough policy on soft drugs in general and cannabis and ecstasy in particular.

He believes that while high profile deaths like Blackpool's Daniel Ashton and Leah Betts, from Essex, get wide publicity, the other more insidious damage that can be done by designer drugs is not properly advertised.

Mr Evans, who is currently consulting experts to get more evidence for his debate, said: "I want the Government to do more to persuade young people not to take soft drugs.

"We all know that taking ecstasy and designer drugs can kill, but there is a growing body of medical evidence that people who take it are storing up long-term psychological problems.

"We need to emphasise more that taking designer drugs can create major mental problems to people in the future.

"These are mind-warping drugs and young people need to be told.

"It is estimated that half a million of these tablets are being taken every week and unless we do something, we are storing up a major problem for the future."

Mr Evans special half-hour debate entitled 'Government Publicity on the Danger of Soft Drugs,' will take place at the end of Commons business on Monday, January 15 and will be replied to by a minister.

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