asked the Minister for Justice the present strength of the Garda drug squad: and if he is satisfied that this is adequate to cope with the drug abuse problem.
77.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Abuse.
76.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of prosecutions for drug abuse offences in the past year to the latest available date.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together.
The number of members of the force employed full-time on duties connected with drug abuse is seven. As I pointed out in reply to a Parliamentary Question on 23rd July, all members of the force have the duty of enforcing the law relating to drugs, including the duty of assisting in any way necessary those members employed wholetime on that work, and all members have been so instructed. Bearing this in mind, the Commissioner considers that the number employed wholetime is adequate at present, but, of course, the position will be kept under review.
This year there were 70 prosecutions for drug abuse offences and, in addition, two young persons were dealt with under the juvenile liaison scheme for such offences.
In most cases involving drugs, is it not the Garda drug squad that is constantly called upon to deal with them? Would it not be advisable to increase the strength of the Garda drug squad especially as drug abuse offences are on the increase?
Quite a number of the offences that came to light, or in respect of which prosecutions were brought, were brought by members of the Garda who are other than members of the drug squad and, of course, there were prosecutions in various provincial areas where they are not full-time.
Would the Minister not agree that the Garda drug squad is not necessarily engaged in bringing about prosecutions?
No. It does a good deal of other work also including advising and warning young people.
Would the Minister consider that the Garda drug squad should be engaged in educational lectures in schools and in matters like that?
I think that to some extent it is so engaged at present.