Peter Barry
Question:18 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the range of the educational programmes warning the young about drugs and solvent abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Drug and Solvent Abuse.
Dinny McGinley
Question:46 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health the number of people who died as a result of solvent abuse within the past two years.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 46 together.
Figures for deaths from solvent abuse are recorded in the Annual Report on Vital Statistics. The most recent report, just published, relates to 1990. The report classified deaths from solvent abuse under International Classification of Diseases (ICD) Codes.
The 1990 report records ten such deaths.
The issue of drug and solvent abuse is always a cause for concern and I am keen that every effort possible is made to educate our young people with regard to the effects of misuse of drugs. This implies not only the giving of information about the various substances of abuse at the appropriate age, but also means providing young people with opportunities to develop skills, awareness and self esteem that will enable them to resist pressures to become involved in potentially harmful drug using situations.
To this end the Health Promotion Unit of my Department has in place a number of initiatives designed to combat drug misuse and these represent a comprehensive response to the problem. However, this is a constantly changing problem and we are vigilant to ensure that our prevention efforts are properly focused and effective.
In addressing the complexity of this problem it is important that prevention efforts be multi-sectoral and multi-disciplinary in nature and for this reason our education efforts are often done in co-operation with other Government Departments and agencies.
This approach has led to co-operation between my Department and other Departments and agencies in producing a substance abuse prevention programme, a drink awareness for youth programme, specific solvent abuse prevention materials and a community based training programme to tackle issues at local level.
The most recent European Drug Prevention Week (November 16-22), which was co-ordinated by my Department and involved the Departments of Education, Justice and Labour as well as many nonstatutory and voluntary agencies served to raise awareness about the vast range of initiatives which are in place to help combat drug misuse amongst young people. The week also saw the introduction of several new initiatives.
A huge variety of consumer products contain solvents. As it would be unrealistic to completely ban the sale of these products to children, a provision is included in the Child Care Act, 1991 to make it an offence for persons to sell solvent-based products to children where it is known or suspected that they are likely to be abused. Persons found guilty of this offence would be liable to a fine of up to £1,000 or to 12 months' imprisonment.
The Deputy can be assured that the position is being kept under constant review. My objective is to ensure that the problem is tackled by programmes directed at young people and by initiatives which allow for parents and whole communities to address the issue in the most effective manner.