Charles Flanagan
Question:175 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he proposes to take to minimise the problems of addiction to prescribed drugs including tranquillisers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Drug Addiction.
Prevention of addiction to all drugs, including prescribed drugs is best achieved at an early age. My Department's Health Promotion Unit in conjunction with the Department of Education and Mater Dei Counselling Centre has developed a substance abuse prevention programme for second level schools. This programme, which has been piloted successfully in selected schools over the past two years will be available to all schools, with appropriate in-service training for teachers in 1994.
The programme covers areas such as assertiveness, self-esteem and decision making skills. While it informs young people of the facts relating to drugs including prescribed drugs and tranquillisers, it aims to equip them with the skills to act responsibly regarding the use of all drugs. It also shows them that there are drug free ways to deal with stress and tension, which in some instances may be just as effective as taking prescribed medication.
In an effort to draw patients' attention to the fact that they do not necessarily need to receive a prescription each time they visit their general practitioner the Health Promotion Unit developed a poster which was distributed to all general practitioners and health board clinics during 1992. The strong message on this poster reads "Sometimes you need a prescription — Sometimes you don't — Take your doctor's advice". General practitioners and other health service personnel have a role to play in informing the public that sometimes prescribed medication will not provide the solution to problems which may be psychological in nature and require counselling and support rather than drugs or medicines.
As far as prescribing is concerned measures have been agreed with the Irish Medical Organisation as part of the November 1992 GMS Agreement which are aimed at supporting general practitioners in achieving more rational, safer and more cost effective prescribing. The Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984 give powers to the Minister to give a direction prohibiting the prescribing of controlled drugs in the exceptional cases where a doctor would be prescribing irresponsibly.