Jim O'Keeffe
Question:84 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the extent of the drugs problem in Ireland and the estimated quantities being imported.
Written Answers. - Drugs Problem.
I would refer the Deputy to the Government Strategy to Prevent Drug Misuse which was launched last year by the Minister for Health and which contains an outline of the extent of the drugs problem in this country. Copies of the documents are available in the Oireachtas Library.
It is not possible to quantify the amount of drugs imported into this country but figures published by the Garda authorities in respect of drug seizures and charges for drug related offences give an indication of the extent of such importation. This information is contained in the Commissioner's Annual Reports on Crime, copies of which are also available in the Oireachtas Library.
The Commissioner's report for 1991 is not yet available but the indications are that there has been an increase over the 1990 figures in the level of drug seizures and in the number of persons charged with drug related offences. The Garda authorities have informed me that cannabis remains the main drug of abuse and accounts for over 70 per cent of all drug charges and seizures.