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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 7 Jul 1983

Vol. 344 No. 9

Written Answers. - Drugs Abuse.

27.

asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to reduce the problem of drugs abuse in our prisons; and the measures he plans to provide adequate treatment for offenders who are addicted to drug taking.

Limerick East): I am not aware that the unauthorised use of drugs in the prisons is a serious problem.

The abuse of drugs appears to be a growing problem in this and other societies and this is reflected in the numbers of offenders being committed to prison who are addicted to or abuse drugs. Prisons are not the most appropriate place for such offenders but the courts sometimes consider that imprisonment is the only choice open to them for some offenders who have a drug problem. The treatments and programmes available to drug abusers in the prisons are being developed so far as available resources allow. Methadone detoxification is available for drug abusers who enter prison while still physically addicted. The services of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers are also available to those who seek individual counselling for their addiction problem. A weekly group therapy session is run by a psychiatrist and a psychologist in St. Patrick's Institution and a drugs information programme is run by the Probation and Welfare Service in Mountjoy women's prison. In Mountjoy men's prison a special temporary release programme is in operation for drug abusers who appear to be capable of benefiting from it. Under it offenders are allowed temporary release under supervision and are helped to keep themselves drug-free in the community.

A research survey on drug abusers in Mountjoy Prison and St. Patrick's Institution has been conducted jointly by the Probation and Welfare Service and the Psychological Service of my Department. A report on the survey has been published recently.

I might add that the provision and designation of custodial treatment centres to which drug abusers might be committed by the courts under section 28 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, are not matters for the Minister for Justice.

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