asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in implementing the recommendations of the Task Force report on Drug Abuse.
Written Answers. - Report on Drug Abuse.
55.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 2 of 27 March 1985 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 27 March 1985:—
On the law enforcement side all the prosecuting solicitors in the District Court section of the chief state solicitor's office are familiar with the conduct of drug offence prosecutions. As a result of a recent increase in the number of staff in that section more solicitors are now available for this work. This increase has also had the effect of virtually eliminating such delays in the preparation of books of evidence in criminal cases as had been attributable to the shortage of such staff.
In the area of customs controls comprehensive customs and excise training courses, which include a substantial drugs element, continue to be given to customs and excise officers of various grades by the customs and excise training centre.
Special courses on controlled drugs have also been provided by instructors from other countries. These were attended by officers, selected from key import points, together with investigation branch and training centre officers. The course proved to be very useful and informative. The customs and excise centre's programme for the coming year includes a special course on controlled drugs for assistant officers — the customs and excise basic grade.
On the education side, the Department of Education is continuing with its activities in the areas of teacher training, materials and programme development and inputs to treatment services. Most of the developments to date have focused on teachers from second level schools in "at risk" urban areas. For the most part, activities undertaken under the headings of teacher training and materials and programme development have been in co-operation with the Health Education Bureau.
The set of five video films and two booklets on teaching methodology, which were developed by the Department and the bureau for use within the context of "life-skills" type programmes in second level schools, were launched earlier this year. Seminars were held at a number of centres throughout the country for schools and teachers wishing to use the package.
The Council of Europe's European Health Committee is sponsoring a pilot project in the Dun Laoghaire area which involves detailed education at a number of different levels — at school level at the level of parents and the community. The team selected to run the project has recently been to Strasbourg for training. As Minister for Health, I have continued to fund the diploma course in addiction studies in Trinity College. I have also made money available to the community action on drugs, national federation, to enable them to expand and develop their current activities in the area of drugs education.
On the youth and community development side, a fund of £2.950 million was made available to the Department of Labour to support the programmes and activities of voluntary youth organisations and other youth activities. The majority of those funds are committed to supporting on-going programmes and full time staff of voluntary youth organisations and could not, consequently, be diverted into direct drug abuse related strategies for young people at risk. It is considered, however, that continued support for youth work services is in itself an important element of the preventive strategy in that it provides for the employment of full time youth workers, the recruitment and training of volunteer leaders and the provision of out-of-school developmental programmes for young people.
The National Youth Council of Ireland, in conjunction with the Health Education Bureau, has developed a substance abuse kit for use by youth leaders. The council is currently training leaders in how to use the kit effectively.
The final report of the national youth policy committee recommended a decentralised youth service operated and supported through local youth committees. It was felt that such local committees would be better able to identify and respond to local needs. Based on their review of the report the Government is committed to publishing a national youth policy before the end of the year. Future action on the prevention of drug abuse will be taken in the context of that policy.
In the area of treatment facilities a planning brief for a new purpose built walk-in out-patient facility to be provided in the inner city area of Dublin, has been agreed. Negotiations are on-going on the acquisition of a suitable premises for this new facility.
The national co-ordinating committee on drug abuse has had several meetings to date and is continuing to monitor the implementation of the Task Force's recommendations.