asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made in implementing the recommendations of the ministerial Task Force on Drug Abuse.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Abuse.
2.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 490 and 491 of 19 June 1984 in which I outlined the steps which had been taken to implement the recommendations of the task force at that time. The following is an outline of the progress which has been made in this area since my reply of 19 June 1984. On the law enforcement side, the Misuse of Drugs Bill, 1984, and the Criminal Justice Bill, 1984, were enacted. All of the provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984, have already been brought into operation.
On the education side, various information seminars, involving teachers and health board personnel, have been held which are aimed at increasing awareness of the drug problem. In addition, more extended training has been held for smaller groups of teachers who are already engaged in health education, counselling or pastoral care work in schools. This training has taken the form of a one week summer course followed up by day workshops held during the school year. A group of the teachers who are participating in these workshops are preparing programmes on teaching about drugs at various age levels and based on their own work in schools. It is hoped to disseminate these, when ready, and to prepare a video film on class work.
The Health Education Bureau and the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee recently jointly launched a new drug education programme. The programme consists of a series of lectures in the CDVEC adult education programme which are available to anyone interested in learning more about drug use and abuse. Participants will be given the new booklet Understanding Drugs which has been developed as part of the project.
On the youth and community development side, the youth service grant scheme was increased by 13.6 per cent in 1984, bringing the total allocated to £1,871,650. This was distributed to 24 youth organisations which cater for over 300,000 young people. In addition to this, in 1984 £160,000 was allocated to disadvantaged urban projects. It is now the policy of the Department of Labour, in so far as it is possible, to orientate the cash for the disadvantaged groups towards those areas identified by the task force as being at risk.
In the area of rehabilitation services, the Coolmine Therapeutic Community submitted proposals for the expansion of its existing induction centre in the inner city area of Dublin and for the establishment of an induction centre in Dún Laoghaire. I recently made the necessary funds available to enable Coolmine to proceed with these proposals.
In the area of research, the Medico-Social Research Board has recently completed two surveys. The first of these was aimed at quantifying the drug problem in the Dún Laoghaire area and to compare heroin abuse in a local authority flats district with that in adjoining housing estates. The other survey was aimed at establishing the distinguishing features between the 90 per cent of those in the 15 to 24 age group, living in a north central Dublin area, who do not abuse hard drugs and the 10 per cent who decide to abuse hard drugs, as documented in the board's earlier report.
In accordance with the recommendation of the task force, I also recently established the new National Co-ordinating Committee on Drug Abuse, with specific terms of reference. The committee, which will now assume responsibility for pursuing the implementation of the recommendations of the task force, had its first meeting on 25 March 1985.
In the course of my replies to the next four Parliamentary Questions I will be dealing with the treatment services and I will outline the progress made in this area.
A couple of questions arise from the Minister's reply. Is there any indication that the changes in the Drugs Act and the implementation of those sections of the Criminal Justice Act which are now in effect have had an impact on the drugs problem particularly in relation to drug pushing? Can the Minister indicate to what extent the teachers who are involved in the drug education programme are located in high risk areas and particularly the high risk areas referred to in the task force report which included parts of the Minister's own constituency, parts of Ballymun, the north inner city area and parts of the south inner city area?
Projects intended specifically to develop youth services approved to date include in the Ballymun area £24,000; in the Finglas area £24,000; in the south inner city £12,000; in Darndale £8,000; in Bonnybrook £12,000; in Kilmore £6,000 and £24,000 in Neilstown. In addition, in the Ballymun, Finglas and Neilstown areas the grants involve support for the employment of two full time youth workers. The remaining four areas I mentioned involve support for one full time youth worker. These are new grants which are paid. I am concentrating the expenditure of money in these areas.
The Misuse of Drugs Act and the operation of the Criminal Justice Act are having an impact. The Drugs Squad are confident that the additional powers they have been given and extension of a maximum prison sentence for a convicted drug pusher from 14 years to life imprisonment are also having an impact. The level of seizures has increased. It seems that the level of abuse has reached a plateau to some extent. The authorities assure me that there is no let up. I am looking forward to the work of the National Coordinating Committee. I expect to get regular monthly reports from that widely representative committee. They met for the first time in the past few days and I spoke to them.
How many teachers have taken part in the training course? Is the Minister satisfied that every school, particularly in the high risk areas, has access to sufficient educational facilities?
I have not got the precise number of teachers who have actually taken part. I can get that information for the Deputy and I will send it on to him.
Is the Minister satisfied that every school has access to proper educational facilities?
The HEB have always made a very big effort. The old HEB booklet was difficult to read. The new booklet is up front and is extremely beneficial to young people in school and to teachers.
The information which I sought in my first supplementary was about teachers doing these courses being located in the areas designated as high risk. I take it that the Minister does not have that information available to him at the moment. Could I ask him to ensure that this scheme of education of teachers would be directed primarily towards schools in the high risk areas? I understand that drug abuse is highest among educationally deprived or disadvantaged young people. Could I ask the Minister to give a commitment in that regard?
I can assure the Deputy that the resources at my disposal will be geared into that area. Currently, under this year's budget I have a total resource of £650,000 for voluntary community organisations for once-off capital projects. I would welcome applications from areas designated as high risk for the expenditure of that money. Equally, under the Combat Poverty Agency subhead of my Department I have a resource this year of about £1.1 million. I would welcome projects with relevance to Combat Poverty which could be put before the new board as soon as it is established. Legislation is going through the Seanad at the moment, which will be coming to the Dáil quite shortly. Overall, I hope to allocate, out of those two sums mentioned — close on £2 million — a high proportion to these high risk areas. None of that money has yet been spent this year and I am awaiting applications. There have been advertisements in the newspapers. If Deputies know of any groups of poverty projects dealing with that area, I shall be only too willing to allocate a substantial proportion of that money to them.
The Minister has said there has been no let-up on the part of the authorities in the detection of drug pushers. The Government's statement on the task force report was that the strength of the Drug Squad would be kept under constant review. This is not a specific area of the Minister's responsibility but, as he has referred to it, can he say what increase has been made in the numbers in the Drug Squad? The Minister stated that the necessary funds have been made available for the Coolmine centre expansion programme. Is it true that Coolmine have received in the region of £70,000 less than they require for their 1985 programme?
To deal with Coolmine first, I have met the Coolmine community officers — admittedly, this was before Christmas. There is no indication that they are in any way short of money. When they said at the end of last year that they wanted additional moneys for their inner city induction centre and the proposed development of the services in Dún Laoghaire, I agreed to give an additional allocation of £59,000. That money was paid out before Christmas and I do not think it has yet been expended. Coolmine, in terms of subsidisation from the Eastern Health Board and the general facility in St. Martha's and in the city, apparently are not short of money. If they are, I shall be only too willing to consider the matter.
Equally, I have not heard of any shortage of additional gardaí for the Drug Squad. The last figure was around 40 gardaí, including the allocation of additional ban ghardaí in the drug units in Dublin, Cork and Limerick as recommended by the task force. The Drug Squad are working extremely well. The less publicity they get at times, the better they work. I am quite satisfied with the organisation of the Drug Squad at inspectorate, superintendent and commissioner level.
3.
asked the Minister for Health the up to date plans to provide a new facility for drug addicted out-patients to replace the existing inadequate facilities at Jervis Street Hospital.
4.
asked the Minister for Health when a bed facility, including detoxification, will be provided at St. James's Hospital for persons suffering from drug addiction.
5.
asked the Minister for Health when treatment accommodation for young drug abusers in the 12-16 age group, particularly those from deprived inner city areas, will be provided.
6.
asked the Minister for Health if a therapeutic community regime more relevant to the requirements of drug abusers coming from socially and educationally deprived backgrounds has yet been devised; and if so, when it will be in operation.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 6, inclusive, together.
The position is that plans are well advanced in relation to the relocation of the Jervis Street Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre in an alternative city centre location. A brief has been drawn up and possible sites for the new facility are being investigated. The move may take place independent of the movement of the general hospital services from Jervis Street to Beaumont, if appropriate. It is possible that additional beds for detoxification and in-patient treatment will be provided at Beaumont Hospital due to the relocation of the walk-in element of the Jervis Street service in the city centre. The need to develop further in-patient services will be examined in the light of the demand for the places which will be available in Beaumont.
With regard to the provision of services for young drug abusers in the 12-16 age group the position is that Talbot Centre, which should be moving into new accommodation shortly will be available to a greater number of people with drug-related problems from the north inner city area.
I approved last year of the appointment of a number of counsellors-tracers in the Eastern Health Board area who are involved in establishing contact with drug abusers. The Eastern Health Board are monitoring the situation in individual community care areas, as reported by the counsellors, with a view to organising appropriate responses to the identified needs.
Is it true in relation to the three specific areas to which I refer, the Jervis Street drug treatment centre, St. James's Hospital detoxification unit and the treatment accommodation for young drug abusers, particularly in the deprived inner city areas, all of which were promised in the task force report published in September 1983, that none has so far been supplied? The Minister refers to the location of the Jervis Street facility and possible sites. Does the Minister mean buildings which can be bought and quickly renovated, or when he speaks of sites does he mean that this will involve the construction of a facility which may take quite some time? I should like clarification of that. In relation to St. James's Hospital, which seems to be a relatively easy facility to provide on an urgent, speedy basis, can the Minister say why it has not been provided since September 1983? Thirdly, in relation to the treatment accommodation for young abusers in the 12 to 16 year old group, the Minister refers to the relocation of the Talbot Centre to Buckingham Street. The Talbot Centre is a drop-in centre for half a dozen young drug abusers; that is all——
A question, Deputy, please.
The Task Force on Drug Abuse referred to accommodation where these young people can be detained and rehabilitated — in other words, residental accommodation — will this be provided? That is not what is involved in the relocation of the Talbot Centre which is merely a drop-in centre. I do not want to accuse the Minister of ignoring or of covering up on the questions, very important ones in regard to the treatment of heroin addiction. Perhaps the Minister would clarify the various issues I have raised.
Regarding Jervis Street, a planning group comprising representatives of the Department of Health and Jervis Street Hospital have agreed on a brief for a new walk-in city centre unit. Jervis Street have employed a firm of estate agents to produce a list of suitable properties and sites. Equally Dublin Corporation have also been contacted about sites. It should be possible within the next few weeks to evaluate this comprehensive list of sites. I share the Deputy's concern about the delay. I have been unhappy about it, and am urging the authorities to go ahead with all speed and do this work rapidly. As the Deputy is aware, last September — indeed even in June 1984 — I indicated that it was intended to produce that facility without delay. The Talbot Centre, when it moves to Buckingham Street in six to eight weeks, will have more space available for 16 to 12 year olds downwards, for pregnant abusers and for young mothers. There has not been a great demand on the Eastern Health Board for places for a number of actually identified 12 to 16 year old drug abusers.
Finally, I will have the major centre in Dundrum available shortly. The final decisions about how that is to be brought into use have not yet been taken, but it is a possibility for relatively older young people. It is a magnificent facility. It will be available for them where they have been in direct trouble with the law and will facilitate their rehabilitation. My personal strong view is that it be non-custodial residential care. Only the Coolmine facility has residential care for approximately 70 to 80 young people and it is full at present. The development of that kind of non-custodial type facility would be more conducive to rehabilitating young people.
Can the Minister give us the reason for the delay in finding a new site for a new inner city centre? Will it be the authorities in Jervis Street who will be responsible for the building, purchase or renovation of that centre, or will it be that of his Department? Also, the Minister said in his reply that it was possible that there would be beds for detoxification in Beaumont. Has no decision been taken on that?
Beaumont?
Has a decision been taken to have beds for detoxification or, as the Minister said, is it only possible there might be beds there?
To take the Beaumont situation first, there is a facility in Beaumont for a number of beds specifically for detoxification. I am quite willing to open those beds tomorrow morning provided the consultant staff of Jervis Street and of the Richmond just go up, turn the key in the door and work there. I will not accept the conditions they are laying down in order to go up there. The nursing staff in Jervis Street, where conditions are very bad, are only too willing to go up there. Equally the vast majority of the staff would go up there. But there are some individuals who are determined to play what I might call medical politics with this and to play politics with me as well in the process. Frankly I will not bend to their particular conditions. That is the only reason we are not up there.
On a point of order, I asked the Minister a question about the possibility of having beds for detoxification in Beaumont, a simple question——
They will be there.
The Minister's reply is totally irrelevant to the question.
That is not a point of order.
Well, I have to explain why the drug facility is being denied to the north city area even though the facility is there — £52½ million worth of facility, I might add.
It is not equipped or anything.
I have forgotten the first part of the Deputy's question.
The first part was the delay in finding a suitable site in the city centre and whether Jervis Street or the Department of Health were responsible.
The delay has basically arisen from the fact that it is now generally agreed that for Jervis Street Hospital to go to Beaumont, leaving behind part of the hospital and converting part into a drug's treatment centre, is not really wise, that it is not feasible to do it having regard to the future use of the Jervis Street site. That is why the general agreement is that in or about that immediate area there should be a facility in a separate building. I might make the other point that although I have not personally looked at the sites, I have had a team in major urban areas such as New York and Los Angeles look at the walk-in treatment centres there. They have come back rather chastened. We do not need a huge elaborate building in Dublin dealing with drug abuse. Centres can be very modest, very ordinary structures, very reasonably built at low cost.
What is the delay in acquiring a site?
The delay has arisen largely in getting a suitable site. I have no doubt that the Jervis Street staff, who are grossly over crowded there, are very anxious to do it. My Department have the money and we are willing to spend it immediately, but the delay has been in getting an actual site. It is not easy in the city centre and we want to have it in the inner city, downtown Dublin and nowhere else. That is where it should be.
The Chair must point out that, in his opinion, this method of dealing with questions is defeating the whole object of Question Time. I should also like to point out that it is obvious that, if we continue in this way dealing with health questions, we will still be on health questions when we adjourn for the summer recess. It is a matter for Deputies and the Minister.
There are two points I should like to raise with the Minister. In the course of his replies he indicated that the incidence of known drug abuse had levelled off. Does the Minister have any statistics indicating figures for, say, attendances in Jervis Street in 1984, or any other kind of statistics which would support the view he has expressed? Secondly, the drug coordinating committee, recently established, have been given the responsibility of implementing the task force recommendations. Have they been given any time scale or targets which they must meet in pursuing the implementation of those recommendations?
At their first meeting, I urged the task force to meet on a regular basis and as a matter of urgency to put forward any further view they might have on the remaining recommendations. Most of their recommendations have been put into operation. Some, such as the issuing of passports, for example, have not been too popular but the situation is being controlled.
We should move on to Question No. 7.
I am anxious to have the statistics relating to drug abuse.
I do not have the detailed information with me.
The Minister would need to bring with him the whole filing cabinet if he were to be in a position to answer some of these questions.
The Minister has said he understands figures have levelled off and I should like to know on what statistics he is basing that statement.
I should like to ask one or two final supplementaries. There are four question on the Order Paper on this matter.
I will allow one short question.
The Minister did not answer the question in relation to the provision of a detoxification unit at St. James's Hospital. Is it intended to provide that unit as envisaged by the task force and what are the reasons for the delay so far? In relation to the Minister's statement that he is not in favour of custodial care for young heroin addicts, is this a change of viewpoint from the recommendations of the task force which refer clearly to the need to detain and rehabilitate these young people by taking them out of the environment that is so much a part of their addiction, that provides such a basis for their addiction? Surely the Minister agrees with the need to take young heroin abusers out of that environment and have them put into custodial care.
In deference to the Chair I do not propose to elaborate unduly on that. I have stated my views on it. The best prospects for these young people is voluntary residential care but under the Children Bill there will be some prospect of court procedures in relation to custodial care. The decision in respect of the unit at St. James's Hospital was made in October last. The provision of a specific unit at that hospital is related to the development at Beaumont Hospital and consequently I should like the two to be opened together.
7.
asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to amend existing laws in order to make it reasonably possible to arrest drug pushers operating openly in the streets.
The special Governmental Task Force on Drug Abuse recognised the need for new legislation to tackle the problem of drug abuse. They highlighted, in particular, certain deficiencies in the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, and the need to amend that Act in order to deal more effectively with the problem.
The recommendations of the task force were incorporated in the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984, which I introduced last year, together with desirable changes recommended by other parties concerned with controlling the drug problem.
I believe that the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984, based as they are on informed opinion and perceived needs provide a sound legislative basis on which the problem of drug pushing can be tackled effectively.
I should add also that the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, provides for the amendment of the criminal law and procedure to deal more effectively with serious crime including serious offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Deputy Gregory.
On a point of order, Deputy Hyland is standing in as our junior spokesman in the absence of Deputy Woods.
I called Deputy Gregory because he was the one I noticed first.
Is the Minister not concerned that heroin is being pushed openly in O'Connell Street? This has been well documented in some Sunday newspapers in the past four or five months. Is there a need either on the part of the Drug Squad or within the Minister's sphere in terms of amending legislation, to deal with this problem? Can the Minister explain why the problem continues in the main street of our capital, an area which to say the least, should be capable of being policed?
The Deputy is indulging in argument.
Can the Minister explain why this is happening and outline what action he considers can be taken to ensure that this national scandal is ended?
Much as we deplore it, we must accept that in our society there will always be an element of drug pushing. That is not to say that there should not be rigorous statutory penalties imposed on those arrested for drug pushing on the streets. The Misuse of Drugs Act came into operation only last August while the irresponsible prescribing provisions came into operation on 1 October last. Irresponsible prescribing is far more serious in many respects than drug pushing. Drug pushing in O'Connell Street is spectacular whereas the prescribing of drugs by a doctor in the privacy of his surgery is very unspectacular. There are provisions in the Criminal Justice Act that will have significant implications in regard to drug pushing. When all the provisions of that Act are in operation, for the first time there will be provision for strip searching with appropriate safeguards and controls so that pushers can be arrested and examined where they are suspected of concealing controlled drugs, that is, in their bodies which is the most customary way of hiding drugs. Equally, there will be provision under the Criminal Justice Act for majority jury verdicts because as the Deputy knows some jurors have been intimidated by drug pushers. At present the disagreement of only one juror is needed for a pusher to be acquitted. All that legislation was passed six or eight months ago but it is not yet in operation. However, neither the Garda nor the Department of Justice have complained to us to the effect that there are deficiencies in the existing legislation which would impede the arrest of drug pushers. The task force on drug abuse are more than anxious to apprehend anyone who is pushing drugs but it is as much a matter of education, parental influence, peer influence and the ending of deprivation in society as it is a matter of capturing the drug pusher.
Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act is restricting the Garda in relation to arresting people found with small amounts of drugs on their person, especially the drug cannabis resin. In view of the organised and sophisticated way drug pushers are operating it is very seldom that people will be found with large quantities of drugs on their person. Unless the Minister amends section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act to enable the Garda to arrest people who have in their possession small quantities of cannabis or other drugs it will be more and more difficult for the Garda to implement the Act. Has the Minister any plans to amend section 3 of the Act?
I will review the section and will consult with the professional staff in the Department of Health and the Department of Justice. I have not had any approach with regard to section 3.
May we take it that the Minister will view this request with a degree of urgency? All of us recognise the seriousness of the situation with regard to drugs, particulary in Dublin. If the Garda are restricted in any way in pursuing drug pushers, surely the onus is on the Minister immediately to amend the law to facilitate the Garda in restricting drug pushing?
Certainly I will undertake a review of that section.