Ivor Callely
Question:152 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the estimated number of young people who have availed of illegal drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6820/98]
Written Answers. - Illegal Drugs.
There are no hard data on the percentage of young people who have availed of illegal drugs. The Health Research Board report on treated drug misuse in Ireland for 1996 noted that the total number of contacts receiving treatment for drug misuse during that year was 4,865, of whom almost two thirds were under 25 years of age. It must be emphasised that this is the number of people who received treatment, so the total number of people misusing drugs would be considerably in excess of this figure. All health boards are establishing databases in order to give improved data on the nature and extent of drug misuse. The main drugs of misuse in all health boards are ecstasy and cannabis, while the abuse of heroin is mainly confined to the Dublin area.
The health boards, in conjunction with my Department, are engaged in a range of activities aimed at preventing young people turning to drugs in the first instance and providing appropriate counselling or treatment and rehabilitation whenever required.