Vol. 534 No. 1
194 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concern at the increase in supply of crack cocaine in Dublin's inner city; if he will introduce measures specifically targeting the supply of crack cocaine; and if so, if he will outline those measures. [10072/01]
The Garda has informed me that in 2000 there were four seizures containing cocaine base, or crack, with a combined weight of 72.6 grams. All of these seizures occurred in the Dublin metropolitan area; three in the north central division and one in the south central division. I have also been informed that so far this year no seizures of cocaine base have been made. A special Garda operation is in place to investigate the availability of crack cocaine and a particular group is being targeted in this regard. The Garda has assured me that gardaí continuously monitor and analyse the trends and patterns of illicit drug use and have informed me that there is no evidence to suggest a growing presence or the widespread availability of crack cocaine in Dublin or elsewhere in the country. The Garda is well aware from foreign experience of the addictive and behaviour changing nature of crack cocaine and, in this context, the incidence of cocaine base usage will be kept under review with the utmost importance being attached to investigations in this area.
