asked the Minister for Health if there are any special plans to deal with the serious drug abuse problem in the general Dún Laoghaire area, County Dublin; if he intends to provide the necessary facilities for the treatment of persons affected by the use of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Drug Abuse.
644.
The Deputy will be aware of the settingup of the Special Governmental Task Force on Drug Abuse.
The Task Force was established to review and report on the question of drug abuse, with particular reference to the inner-city area of Dublin. However, the members of the Task Force did not confine their examination of the drug problem to the inner-city area and, in fact, the situation in Dún Laoghaire was considered.
An examination of the adequacy, or otherwise, of the existing treatment facilities available for drug abusers was regarded by the Task Force as a priority and they spent considerable time considering this matter.
The Task Force will be making a series of recommendations in their report on how the present serious drug problem should be tackled and I think we should await this report which will be ready very soon.