Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
837 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recent report on the increasing drugs crisis throughout Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12130/04]
View answerI launched the report, bulletin No. 2 of the 2002-03 all-Ireland drug prevalence survey, last week. The surveywas undertaken jointly by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Ireland and the Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit, Northern Ireland, and nearly 8,500 people were interviewed.
The survey looked at the overall national problem. Last October initial results were published and they showed that the vast majority of the general population have never used any illegal drug. Less than one in five or 19% reported ever taking an illegal drug.
The second bulletin gives a breakdown of data by health board area. The key findings are as follows: the proportion of those surveyed who reported ever having taken an illegal drug, lifetime prevalence, varied between 11% and 29% across health board areas; the lowest rate of recent illegal drug use, this means people who used an illegal substance in the previous year, was recorded in the North Western Health Board at 3% and the highest rate was recorded in the Northern Area Health Board at 8%; prevalence rates of current drug use, this means used a drug in the previous month, varied between 0.5% in the North Western Health Board area and 5% in the Northern Area Health Board area; prevalence rates, including lifetime, recent and current usage, tended to be higher in the eastern area; cannabis was the main illegal drug used on a lifetime, recent or current basis in all health board areas; prevalence rates for cannabis were at least twice as high for other illegal drugs; and prevalence rates for other illegal drugs were considerably lower than for cannabis across all areas and periods; the highest prevalence rate for recent use of ecstasy was 3% and for cocaine powder 2% compared to 8% for cannabis; the profile of illegal drug users showed a great deal of consistency across health boards; in almost all areas prevalence rates of lifetime, recent and current use were higher amongst men than women and higher amongst young people than older people; prevalence rates for sedatives, tranquillisers and anti-depressants were higher amongst older people and women in most areas.
I am pleased that the bulletin confirms that the vast majority of people here in all regions have never used illegal drugs, even if there are significant regional variations. I am conscious that the results highlight the fact that drug use is not confined to major cities but is now an issue for urban and rural areas.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is not complacent about this finding and remains determined to tackle drug misuse on a number of fronts. The local drugs task forces, the young peoples facilities and services fund and the regional drugs task forces try to combat the drug problem. Through their valuable work and the ongoing implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 much is being done and will continue to be done over the coming years to tackle the problem.
The Deputy will be familiar with the work of the LDTFs. All of the task forces — with the exception of Bray — are currently implementing their second round of action plans. In total the Government has allocated or spent approximately €65 million to implement a range of projects contained in the plans of the task forces since 1997. Over €11.6 million was allocated to 37 capital projects under the premises initiative. It was designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects, the majority of whom are in LDTF areas.
Approximately €72 million was allocated to support over 450 facility and services projects in LDTF areas and the four other urban centres under the YPFSF. This includes over €13 million that I recently allocated under round II of the fund to support over 100 services and facility projects targeting young people at risk of drug misuse.
Regional drugs task forces were also established throughout the country. At present they are mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas — as well as the range and level of existing services — with a view to better co-ordination and addressing gaps in the overall provision. This work will then feed into the drafting of regional action plans that will be assessed by the national drugs strategy team. Early next year I expect to make funding recommendations at the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion. This will allow the RDTFs to implement their plans by mid-2005.
The publication of the information contained in the bulletin is timely as the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 will commence shortly. Its valuable information will significantly add to our knowledge and understanding of drug use and is essential in developing appropriate policies for the future.
