Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 5 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drug Awareness Groups.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

91 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the evolving network of locally based community awareness of drugs groups being established around the country; if he will offer advice and assistance, financial or professional, to assist them in co-operating with the State agencies responsible in this area; and if he will organise a feedback mechanism from these groups in order that the reality of the drugs problem is up to date and well known to all in authority. [4819/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I am aware that a number of locally based community awareness of drugs groups are working at local level, complementing the work of statutory agencies involved in the prevention of drug misuse. In the past many of these groups have received advice, support and often financial assistance from health boards.

Following the recent Government decisions on drug demand reduction measures each health board has been asked to establish local co-ordination committees representing local interested parties to develop and monitor education, awareness and prevention measures. These committees will be represented on the demand reduction sub committee which will in turn report to the National Coordinating Committee on Drug Abuse. The necessity to involve these groups in the fight against drugs has been emphasised to the boards.

The health promotion unit of my Department is also involved in drug awareness programmes and has a range of educational materials on the subject of drug misuse. These materials are also available to assist any group that is seeking to tackle the drug problem at local and national level.