Seán Barrett
Question:2 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Taoiseach if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that 1992 is designated European Year Against Drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - European Year Against Drugs.
Patrick McCartan
Question:3 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if, in view of the emphasis placed on tackling the drugs crisis in the communique from the recent special meeting of the European Council, he will outline his views on the proposal to have 1992 designated as European Year Against Drugs; the steps, if any, he intends to take, as President of the European Council, to promote the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
I would remind the Deputies that the 17th Special Session of the UN General Assembly on 23 February last has already proclaimed the period from 1991 to 2000 as the United Nations Decade Against Drugs Abuse. The Deputies might also recall from my statement in the House on 3 May that, at a special meeting here on 28 April, the European Council asked the Coordinators Group on Drugs to report with a view to submitting proposals to its next meeting in June that would form part of a vigorous action by the EC and the member states against drug abuse and the illicit production, distribution and sale of narcotic drugs. I should also mention that EC Health Ministers at their meeting last week agreed a programme of activities on the demand side of the drug problem such as education, treatment and rehabilitation.
I should like to thank the Taoiseach for his reply but he has not answered my question. Given that 1992 is the year when all barriers in Europe will disappear will he agree that, because of the massive problem drugs are creating in Europe, particularly among young people, it would be most appropriate to designate 1992 as the European Year Against Drugs? Is the Taoiseach aware of an organisation known as Eurad, Europe Against Drugs, the first such voluntary foundation which is funded by the European Commission? Is the Taoiseach aware that that organisation held a conference here in March and that to their grave disappointment he, as President of the European Councils, did not see fit to reply to their invitation to meet them and to address them? I should like to ask the Taoiseach to use his position as President of the European Councils to see to it that 1992 is designated European Year Against Drugs.
I do not have any knowledge of what the Deputy refers to about an invitation to Eurad but I know of their wish to have 1992 designated European Year Against Drugs. I do not have a particular antipathy to that suggestion but the other proposals are infinitely more important, that is, positive action by the Council and by the member states against the abuse of drugs. I assure the Deputy it is our determination in the Presidency to endeavour to have major action initiated in this area at the Dublin Council.
Does the Taoiseach agree with the view expressed by Eurad and many others in this field that Europe is in the grip of a growing epidemic of drug abuse? Will he also agree that there is a need not simply to have Ministers of the Councils taking decisions but to mobilise as wide a section of the Community as possible in the campaign against the introduction of drugs into the Community? Will he also agree that that is the single most important feature of any year being designated a year against drugs? He must know that a designated year would help to build awareness of the problem and I ask the Taoiseach if in his Presidency, which is now coming to a close, he will initiate the process of designating a year for awareness about drugs soon after 1992 if that year is not so designated?
As I said to Deputy Barrett, I do not have an antipathy towards it but I am not sure that designating a year in this way is of any practical value for the cause concerned. I want to again assure the Deputy that at the Dublin Summit in April we made a very strong statement about drugs and we asked the agencies concerned, particularly CELAD, to put us in a position at the next summit to designate something positive and concrete for Europe. The situation in relation to drugs will probably get more prominence and be more effective in that way instead of designating 1992 — or any other year — as the European Year Against Drugs. As I also mentioned in my reply, the Ministers for Health are initiating their own programme so the Community is aware of the problem mentioned by the Deputy. In reporting to the European Parliament, I drew attention to the whole situation so the Deputy can take it that we are determined to be as active as is necessary and possible in this situation.
In view of the fact that the Taoiseach rightly chose to deem his Presidency as "Green", will he agree there is nothing wrong with creating awareness of the drugs problem by designating 1992 as a year of awareness? As President of the Council of Ministers and as Taoiseach, he should make strenuous efforts to see that this matter is at least given consideration because of the fact that Eurad have a correct policy of creating awareness of the need to guard against drugs, to educate people — including parents — in their use and to be aware of the first signs of drug abuse. With respect, there would be a benefit in having a European Year Against Drugs and 1992 would be as good as any because of the breaking down of barriers and the difficulties which the Minister for Justice will also experience during that period, if he is still about. If he or the Taoiseach are not in office we will be there to implement the policy. In the meantime I ask the Taoiseach to take the initial steps in this regard.
I take note of the Deputy's remarks.