asked the Minister for Justice the number of arrests made in the period 1st July, 1970 to 1st July, 1971 for illegal possession and selling of drugs; and what percentage increase this represents over the period 1st July, 1969 to 1st July, 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Abuse.
54.
The number of arrests made in the period 1st July, 1970 to 1st July, 1971 for illegal possession of drugs was 81, and the number of arrests in the same period for illegal selling of drugs was six. The percentage increase involved in this period compared to the period 1st July, 1969 to 1st July, 1970 was 98 per cent.
Is the Minister satisfied with the achievement of the Drug Squad and the people associated with them? Is he satisfied that he is making any inroads at all into the increasing drug abuse?
Yes.
There is a question dealing with this matter.
Is the Minister satisfied the Department are attacking this problem efficiently?
Could the Minister give us a figure for the previous year instead of a percentage?
I was not asked for that. It would be approximately half of 87 which would be 43 or so.
55.
asked the Minister for Justice what action he proposes to take to curb the serious drug situation obtaining in this country.
56.
asked the Minister for Justice whether there is any evidence before his Department of an increased incidence of drug taking among hippy groups at rock festivals and discotheques; and what action he proposes to take in the matter.
57.
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that the American State of Florida has introduced a reward system for information leading to the arrest of a drug pusher; and if, in view of the increasing drug problem in this country, he will consider the introduction of a similar system here.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 to 57 together.
The House will appreciate that my functions in the matter arise only in relation to the enforcement of the law by the Garda Síochána and I do not think it would be appropriate for me to express any views as to drug-taking on particular occasions or at particular events. The Garda Síochána maintain a close liaison with the Department of Health, which are the Department primarily concerned with this problem, and there is a constant pooling of information and a constant exchange of views as to the problems that arise and the best methods of dealing with them. I do not think that there is any significant body of opinion, among those who have studied the problem, who believe that drug-taking or drug-abuse can best be kept in check by treating it as a matter primarily for the police and the criminal law and, while I do not seek to evade responsibility in so far as the matter is one for the Garda, I think it is serious misreading of the nature of the problem, which is a growing one in every country we know of, to suggest that it can be solved by police action. If it could, it would not be the international problem that it is.
The suggestion that there should be a reward-system has been referred to the Garda for consideration.
Surely the Minister must realise his reply is farcical and that the use of drugs in this country has reached alarming proportion, that drugs are not alone available in cities but that there are large supplies available in most provincial towns? Will he not take action by drafting professional, fully-trained men into the Drug Squad who will go around the country to rid us of this evil?
The Drug Squad are very active. Deputies may be under the misapprehension that the only people concerned with the problem are the individual members of that squad. All members of the Garda have a duty to deal with this problem.
Why has the Minister refused to answer the question regarding the incidence of drug-taking among the hippie group at what are called rock festivals, when evidence is available from the US that 90 per cent of the people attending those so-called music festivals take marijuana? The Minister will not even refer to this matter even in the form of giving information to parents whose children might otherwise go along to these pop festivals. Surely the Minister should accept some responsibility for the enforcement of the law in relation to drugs?
If the Deputy is suggesting we should put a stop to pop festivals I could not go along with that. Nor would I accept that 90 per cent of those attending such festivals take drugs. I understand pop festivals are a new phenomenon in this country. Two have been held in recent months and at each members of the Drug Squad were on duty and they made a number of arrests. It is grossly unfair to suggest that 90 per cent of those who attend such functions take drugs.
I said it happened in the USA. The Minister has just stated, in trying to justify the inactivity of his Department, that what happens in other countries is not happening here
Will the Minister tell us if it would be possible to amend the law so that people found with cannabis or marijuana in their possession would not be subject to the same penalties as those who push these drugs? Would he amend the law in regard to this because I do not think anybody wants those found in possession to be penalised as severely as the pushers?
The imposition of penalties is entirely one for the courts and I am sure most judges and district justices would make the differentiation which the Deputy refers to. Clearly a pusher is likely to get a much heavier sentence.
Surely the Minister is not trying to tell the House that the average garda is adequately trained to deal with those skilled racketeers? If he is not prepared to increase the numbers in the Drug Squad would he initiate a training course for gardaí?
A number of gardaí are being brought to Dublin to be trained in conjunction with members of this squad.
Is the Minister aware that the Minister for Health told the Dáil the other day that there is no abuse of drugs?