Vol. 468 No. 2
71 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Health the progress, if any, that has been made on the development of a telephone helpline for young persons suffering from drug problems; and the plans, if any, there are to develop this facility to a national service. [14778/96]
Limerick East): The National Co-ordinating Committee on Drug Abuse has been considering the issue of a national telephone helpline in line with the Government decisions on demand reduction measures to prevent drug misuse. A helpline has been operated in Cork since November 1995 and its operation is currently being evaluated. A national information line is being operated in conjunction with the current multi-media drugs awareness campaign and the response to this is being closely monitored. When the results of these two evaluations are to hand I expect the National Co-ordination Committee to be in a position to make a proposal in relation to a national helpline. In the meantime all health boards have been instructed to establish a contact service which will provide information, advice and assistance on drugs and related issues to the public.
