asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the extent of the abuse of drugs by a small section of the younger generation in the midlands; and the action he proposes to take to deal with the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Drug Abuse .
10.
: At the outset I should make it clear that I believe that, while the Garda have a substantial role to play in controlling drug abuse, the misuse of drugs is primarily a social problem.
As regards Garda activity in this matter in the midland areas. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that, whereas there was one prosecution for a drugs offence in the Longford-Westmeath and Leix-Offaly Garda Divisions last year, there have been 15 such prosecutions to date this year and the directions of the Director of Public Prosecutions are awaited in another case. The majority of the offenders have been in the 19 to 21 age group. All of the cases have involved the drug cannabis. The use of `hard' drugs such as heroin, cocaine and so on has not come to the notice of the Garda in those areas.
The question of drug offences will continue to receive special attention from the Garda who are conscious of the fact that there is concern generally, and especially among parents, about an apparent increase in drug abuse. The Garda for their part are keeping the problem under constant review and in that context are giving special attention to training and deployment of personnel.
: This increase in prosecutions is proof that the abuse of drugs is fairly constant in the midlands. Is the Minister aware that many young people who indulge in drug taking seem to have as much expertise as medical people in the area of seeking out chemicals and combining them with otherwise harmless substances for the purpose of going on trips? If this is the case, the Garda must be helped by way of an educational programme that keeps up with the bizarre and changing trends in the compounding of illegal and harmful drugs .... Only recently in my own town of Clara I witnessed young people——
: A question, Deputy, please.
: Drug taking is prevalent. The Minister referred to hard drugs but is he aware that soft drugs can be as harmful as hard drugs?
: I appreciate the points made by the Deputy and I assure him that I will have a personal look at the matter in the light of what he has said and having regard to the increase in the number of prosecutions in the area in question.