Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 4

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Willie Penrose

Question:

123 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when it is intended to establish the early warning system, involving all key agencies, to track the potential spread of heroin into new areas in regard to the commitment given in An Agreed Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17757/03]

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

129 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress to date on the proposed early warning system to track the potential spread of heroin into new areas as outlined in the programme for Government, May 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [217846/03]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 129 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the role of my Department is to co-ordinate the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008.

As I have previously advised the House, the early warning sub-committee of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, which includes membership from a range of relevant Departments and agencies, including my Department, has considered a number of proposals in relation to establishing an early warning system. They are recommending that the NACD proceed with setting up a formal system to monitor drug trends nationally within the context of its next three year work programme, which is due to commence in late 2003.

As a first step, the incidence of heroin use will be examined. The sub-committee will draw on information that is either currently available or will become available later in the year. In this context, the sub-committee will draw on the recent NACD study on the prevalence of opiate use in Ireland, the upcoming general population study on drug misuse, the statistics available to the Health Research Board regarding demand for treatment nationally and Garda seizures.

It is expected that the NACD will then present a report based on this information to the Inter-departmental group on drugs which I chair and, ultimately, to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion.