andJack Lynch asked the Minister for Health whether, in view of the numerous announcements from Radio Eireann regarding the taking from cars of cases containing dangerous drugs, he will take action against people who leave such drugs unprotected in cars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dangerous Drugs.
Members of the medical, dental and veterinary professions are authorised, under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1934, and regulations made thereunder, to be in possession of dangerous drugs. As it is not an offence against the provisions of the Act or regulations for such persons to leave drugs unprotected in cars, action cannot be taken against them. It is, of course, particularly desirable, in the public interest, that medical practitioners and other authorised persons should take all necessary precautions to ensure that the drugs do not fall into the possession of unauthorised persons and it is an obvious and elementary precaution in this connection not to leave them in unlocked cars.
In view of the fact that persons entitled to be in possession of such drugs must carry them with them in the course of their professional duties, the question of taking effective action to ensure against their becoming accessible to unauthorised persons presents considerable practicable difficulties. I shall, however, have the matter examined with a view to seeing what can be done.