asked the Minister for Health the statistics that are available to indicate the trends in drug addiction; and whether or not these trends have stopped rising.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Addiction.
14.
Because of the nature of the drug problem it is very difficult to compile reliable statistics on the number of persons addicted to drugs. We in Ireland are not unique in this respect as most other countries are faced with the same problem.
I am setting out, hereunder, in table form, statistics in relation to:
—the total number of patients who presented for treatment of drug abuse at the National Drug Advisory and Treatment Centre in Jervis Street for the years 1981-1984,
—the number of persons charged with drug offences during the years 1981-1983, and
—the number of drug seizures during the years 1981-1983.
Numbers presenting for treatment
(a)
|
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
1984 |
|
800 |
1,307 |
1,515 |
1,454 |
Persons charged with drug offences
(b)
|
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
|
1,256 |
1,593 |
1,822 |
Drug seizures
(c)
|
1981 |
1982 |
1983 |
|
1,204 |
1,873 |
2,278 |
The 1984 Garda statistics on crime are being finalised at the moment. I understand that the numbers charged with drug offences and the number of drug seizures in 1984 represent a decrease in the figures for the previous year.
It is too soon yet to say, with any degree of certainty, that the 1984 figures represent a reversal in the growing trend in drug abuse which was evident in the previous few years, but it does seem to indicate that the problem has to an extent stabilised. While I am encouraged by this I can assure the Deputy that it will not lead to complacency on the Government's part in the fight against drug abuse.
From the statistics available can the Minister indicate the social background of those who suffer from drug addiction, particularly in relation to the heroin problem in Dublin city?
That is a separate question.
I do not have that information with me. I should like to point out to the Deputy that in 1981 there were 1,200 seizures and in 1983 there were almost 2,300 seizures. The number of drug seizures has gone up considerably and the number of persons charged with drug offences has also increased. In 1981 more than 1,200 people were charged while in 1982 almost 1,600 people were charged. In 1983 the number had increased to 1,800. I do not have the breakdown of the social background of those charged but if it is available in the Department I will forward it to the Deputy.
Is there any evidence to suggest that the problem is being contained? The figures the Minister will be circulating relate to 1981-83 and he does not have figures for 1984 as yet. Will the Minister accept that there is not any evidence to show that the problem has been contained?
I make the broad point, bearing in mind that the 1984 report has not been published as yet, that despite the fact that the most intensive work has been done by the drug squad, the number of drug seizures last year appears to have dropped.
What about the number of patients attending at Jervis Street?
The number of persons presenting themselves for treatment has levelled off. In 1982, 1,300 people presented themselves for threatment. That figure rose to 1,515 in 1983 and in 1984 it was 1,454. Admittedly the plateau is high but there has been a levelling off. I am very cautious about reading any trend into data of that nature but it appears that there has been a levelling off. There is no doubt that the public awareness of the drug problem, which has been hightened in the last two or three years, seems to be having an impact. The effectiveness of the drug squad and other matters such as the control of irresponsible prescribing have also had a considerable impact. The fact that the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1984, which is in operation contains a provision under which life imprisonment can be imposed on pushers, has also had an impact.
Despite everything the Minister has said I should like to know if he agrees that heroin, which is possibly the most dangerous of all drugs involved, is as readily and freely available on the streets of this city today as it was when the heroin epidemic was at its worst two or three years ago? For example, in my constituency in the last couple of months £250,000 worth of heroin was seized by the drug squad in one seizure. That was one of the largest amounts of heroin taken in one seizure and it took place in February. In O'Connell Street heroin is available and that was documented by a Sunday newspaper. Will the Minister agree that, if such a dangerous drug is so readily and widely available in the city, there is no room for complacency on the part of anybody? Will the Minister agree that the problem can get as bad as it was in the past and that efforts must continue to eliminate the availability of heroin as far as possible?
There is no doubt that there is a serious heroin problem. In the greater Dublin area there are about 1,000 heroin abusers. The figures are consistent. In 1982 the figure was 772, 1,006 in 1983 and 969 in 1984. Heroin is not readily available. Certainly, it is not freely available. I must point out that there is no capital city in Europe that does not have a heroin problem and there will always be a heroin problem in all capital cities of Europe. Our role is to contain that and convince people not to abuse all forms of drugs. To that extent the activities of the Garda, the courts, the Health Education Bureau, the Department of Health and the Government have contained the problem. Undoubtedly, in 1981-82 we came upon the problem somewhat late, but I devoted a great deal of time to this matter as did my colleagues in Government, particularly Ministers of State, O'Brien and Donnellan.
When I said that heroin was readily available I meant that those addicted to heroin do not have any difficulty in getting heroin in Dublin city. Does the Minister agree that the number of those attending Jervis Street known to be addicted to heroin is not necessarily a true picture of the number of people who use heroin? There is a cycle in the use of heroin and it is only at a certain stage in that cycle that users seek help from the Jervis Street centre or any other centre. Will the Minister accept that the number of people using heroin in Dublin city is far greater than the 1,000 addicts he mentioned?
I do not think that the figure is that much greater. Certainly, it is greater but one can only speculate as to how much greater it is. If a person is on heroin for three years inevitably he or she will finish up requiring treatment at Jervis Street. Taking the average over three years, the figure is roughly 900 people. One could probably add some hundreds to that figure, bringing it up to 1,100 or 1,200. The average is around 1,000. That is the figure for heroin abusers who represent seven out of every ten drug addicts in the Dublin area.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.
Could we not take the next question?
I did my best but I regret to say that I did not get any cooperation.
We will leave you in peace for several months if I may reply to the last question.
If there is agreement in the House, I will permit it. I did my best to have that question taken.
My apologies, a Cheann Comhairle. I am absolutely incorrigible.
I wish to raise a matter on the Adjournment and to keep within Standing Orders, I must ask for it now. I wish to raise the issue of the appointment of a receiver to Top Quality Products Limited, Gorey, with the loss of 250 jobs and also the possibility of financial assistance.
The Chair will communicate with the Deputy.