Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Richard Bruton

Question:

119 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the resources which will be made available during 2004 to enable local community drug projects and statutory agencies to tackle the growing cannabis problem. [24147/03]

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

The Deputy's question is timely given that the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, for which my Department has responsibility, yesterday published the results of a national population survey of drug use. This is the first occasion that a comprehensive survey has been carried out on an all-island basis on the extent of drug misuse. The survey shows that cannabis is the most commonly used illegal drug with one in five or 18% of the population having ever used the drug. This rate is higher among young people between the ages of 15 to 24 with almost 24% having reported using cannabis.

I am confident, however, that through the implementation of the 100 actions in the national drugs strategy 2001-2008 and through projects and initiatives operated under the local drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and ser vices fund the problem of cannabis use is being addressed. In this context, the Deputy should note that more than €14.5 million has been allocated to the task forces to implement their second round of action plans. In addition, more than €59 million has been allocated under the young people's facilities and services fund. The main aim of the fund is to attract at-risk young people in disadvantaged areas into recreational facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse.

Regional drug task forces, RDTFs, are also being established in each of the health board areas throughout the country and many of these are now up and running. As a first step in the process of developing action plans, the task forces are currently mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas and the level and range of existing services. Where cannabis use is found to be a problem, this can be reflected in the measures proposed in their actions plans. Funding decisions for 2004 will be taken in the context of Government deliberations on next year's Estimates.

Tom Hayes

Question:

120 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of outreach workers currently operating nationally and in the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement of the effectiveness of the outreach workers service programme. [24151/03]

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

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has responsibility for the work of the 14 local drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund which operate in the areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse. Through these initiatives a wide range of projects and services are being supported, some of which involve the employment of outreach workers. These people play a vital role in tackling the drugs problem in their areas and many of them work with at-risk young people trying to divert them away from the dangers of substance misuse. Information as to the current numbers of such workers is not available to my Department. However, I regard them as committed people whose ongoing work and support is vital to the continued implementation of the national drugs strategy in Ireland.