Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 2

Written Answers. - Legalisation of Heroin.

Noel Ahern

Question:

36 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the recent request for the legislation of heroin by the Chairman of the Independent Radio and Television Commission damages the perception of the Government's drug and crime policy; and his concerns at these views being promoted in a magazine targeted at young people. [11917/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): I understand that the statement made by the chairman of the Independent Radio and Television Commission was made in a personal capacity and it is one with which I disagree.

As the Deputy will be aware the Government announced a package of measures on 21 February 1996 aimed at reducing the demand for drugs. Included in these measures was a decision that there should be no relaxation in the current laws relating to the possession and consumption of controlled drugs. The Government has, therefore, no plans to change the legal position in relation to such drugs including heroin.

The demand reduction measures announced by the Government are aimed,inter alia, at informing young people about drugs through a series of drug education and prevention measures. These include: the development of education and prevention programmes in conjunction with the Department of Education and other relevant agencies; a multi-media awareness and prevention campaign with the message “drugs destroy lives”; and the launching of information and awareness campaigns aimed at young people and their parents which focus on the dangers of drugs misuse.