Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

377 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans his Department has to tackle the drug problem in provincial towns, with particular reference to Drogheda and Dundalk in County Louth. [14560/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

The national drugs strategy 2001-2008 aims to tackle the drug problem in the most comprehensive way ever undertaken in this country. The strategy contains 100 individual actions under the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research. One of the actions that the strategy recommends is the establishment of regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, which will be set up in each health board area, including the North-Eastern Health Board area, which includes Drogheda and Dundalk. The membership of the RDTFs will be taken from the full range of statutory, community and voluntary sectors and will be flexible to local circumstances.

The purpose of the RDTFs is to ensure the development of a co-ordinated and integrated response to the problem of drug misuse in the regions. The RDTFs will provide up-to-date information on drug related resources and services, as well as information on the nature and extent of the drug problem in their areas. Once the service gaps have been identified for each region, the RDTFs prepare a development plan to respond to the issues identified. Guidelines dealing with the setting up of the RDTFs were finalised in May last and have been disseminated to the various sectors and agencies. Co-ordinators are being recruited through the health boards and nominations for membership of the RDTFs have been sought from the various agencies and sectors. The first meetings are expected to be held in autumn 2002.

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

378 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if each Department and agency involved in the national drugs strategy published a critical implementation path for each of the actions relevant to their remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14563/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

Under the national drugs strategy 2001-2008, each Department and agency is required to prepare and publish a critical implementation path, CIP, for each of the actions relevant to their remit. The drugs strategy unit of my Department is co-ordinating the publication of a composite CIP for all the various actions. While most Departments and agencies have drawn up implementation paths for their actions, a small number have taken longer than anticipated and are currently being finalised. This process is now almost complete and it is hoped to publish the composite CIP in the autumn.