The National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 has achieved considerable success across a range of different areas and will continue to do so in its remaining fifteen months of operation.
In particular, the Deputy should note that:
The level of drugs seizures by the Gardaí and the Customs Service have been well in excess of the targets set out in the Strategy and they include a number of significant operations;
Under the prevention pillar, the SPHE and Walk Tall programmes have been rolled out to all schools; awareness campaigns have been organised and tremendous achievements have been made under the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF);
Treatment facilities have increased significantly, with approximately 8,500 in receipt of methadone in July, and a range of services are being provided across the statutory, voluntary and community sectors for various types of problem drug use; and
Research in areas such as drugs prevalence, the outcome of heroin treatment, families and drugs, the effect of drugs on communities and cocaine issues have all helped to inform our progress.
The specific achievements of my own Department under the Strategy include the establishment of the Drugs Task Force network across the country, at both local and regional levels. In all, over 440 community-based projects have been established through the Local Drugs Task Forces (LDTFs), employing more than 300 people. Each Regional Drugs Task Force has prepared a strategic plan to address gaps in service provision in their regions and these are now being progressed.
I referred above to the valuable work being done through the YPFSF. I was delighted, therefore, to announce earlier this week an additional capital allocation of nearly €7m to support 42 projects under this Fund. To date, allocations of just over €125m have been made to almost 500 facility & services projects in LDTF areas and in Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Carlow.
Priorities in tackling drug abuse over the next five years will include those set out in the Programme for Government, increased availability of treatment for cocaine users, implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Working Group on Drugs Rehabilitation, further development of the Drugs Task Forces and the continuation and expansion of the YPFSF. Another key priority is the development of a new National Drugs Strategy from 2009 onwards and this will be developed in collaboration with a wide range of relevant stakeholders over the coming year.
Tackling the problem of drugs misuse is a key priority for Government and will continue to be so. This commitment is evidenced by the ongoing increased funding in my Department's Vote. The allocation of €50m this year represented an increase of 16% on the 2006 figure and was an increase of 87% over the corresponding figure for 2004.
I am, or course, determined to ensure that adequate resources will again be provided in the coming years so as to maintain the progress that is been made in tackling the drug problem in Ireland.