Vol. 499 No. 3
320 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and type of drugs seized in each of the counties Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2677/99]
I have been informed by the Garda Síochána that the quantity and types of drugs seized in each of the counties of Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo in 1998 are as follows:
|
Donegal |
Leitrim |
Sligo |
|
|
Cannabis |
24 grammes |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Cannabis Resin |
425 grammes |
27 grammes |
868 grammes |
|
Cannabis Plants |
Nil |
59 |
3 |
|
Ecstasy Tablets |
143 |
Nil |
103 |
|
LSD Tablets |
Nil |
Nil |
2 |
|
Amphetamines |
37 grammes |
Nil |
Nil |
321 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the setting up of a Border drugs unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2678/99]
The policing of the Border area comes primarily under the remit of the Assistant Commissioner, Northern Region, based at Sligo.
A divisional drugs unit exists in the Sligo-Leitrim Division, with particular emphasis on the Sligo town area. Gardaí from this division and other Border divisions have received specific training, and engage in activities, to combat drug supply and abuse as part of the services they provide in their respective divisions. As needs dictate, a select number of members from these divisions are drawn together to operate as a single unit on specific drugs related operations.
The Garda National Drugs Unit has a national brief and is also directly concerned with the issue of drug abuse in the Border areas.
The Garda authorities have informed me that the cumulative effect of the structures, which I have outlined, are sufficient at this point in time to provide the level of service required to tackle the problems of drug misuse and abuse in the Border areas.
The Garda Síochána have also assured me that this issue remains under constant review and that the option of a dedicated Border drugs unit will be considered in the future, if it is deemed a feasible and efficient option in countering the problem of drug abuse in the area.
