asked the Minister for Health when he intends to introduce legislation as suggested in the report of the working party on drug abuse.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug and Drink Abuse.
36.
I hope to introduce the legislation in the present session.
37.
asked the Minister for Health whether he is now prepared to launch a nationwide campaign against the dangers of drink and drugs.
With regard to alcoholism and excessive drinking, this problem has recently been the focus of public attention in connection with the International Congress on Alcoholism and Addiction. The problem was highlighted at the time on all the media. I personally, and my Department, have participated in publicising the problem. My Department in happy co-operation with persons and organisations working in the field have produced a most useful leaflet entitled "What sort of Drinker are You!"
Copies of these leaflets have been or are being sent to doctors and clergymen as a means of informing them and of bespeaking their assistance. I shall be most happy to send a copy also to any Deputy who wishes to have one. In addition, with the co-operation of the Licensed Vintners Association and the Irish National Vintners Federation, to whom I wish to pay tribute for their responsible and willing help, copies of this leaflet will be sent to all the larger public houses, for distribution to interested customers.
I am grateful also for the wholehearted co-operation of the Irish National Council on Alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in this campaign and for their willingness to have their names cited in the pamphlet as agencies willing and anxious to help those in trouble about drinking.
Four of the health boards have recruited, or are in process of recruiting, social workers to specialise in the various measures necessary to combat alcoholism.
These are the first, although important, steps in a campaign to deal with this problem. Other steps will be taken in the light of experience.
A programme dealing with the opening phase of a campaign about drugs has been developed. This is based on the advice of the working party on drug abuse and is designed to inform parents, teachers and clergy on the recognition of potential addicts, on the onset of addiction and how to cope.
As a first step, with the ready co-operation of the Department of Education, arrangements are in train to hold a seminar for post-primary teachers in Dublin in the very near future. This will be the first of a series. It will, incidentally, cover alcoholism as well as drug addiction.
An informative leaflet about drug abuse is being prepared for the information and guidance of teachers, parents and youth leaders. In the meantime useful leaflets have been prepared by the Irish-American Society on various aspects of the drug problem and I was happy, in reply to their request, to endorse the use of these pamphlets as being most useful.
The programme as developed included the making of a suitable film by the Department about drug abuse but this has been deferred until a film now being made under the auspices of the Drug Advisory Centre, Jervis Street Hospital, can be viewed. This film is likely to be available for viewing next month and may obviate the making of a film by the Department. If not, a supplementary film will be made by the Department.
38.
asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who are receiving treatment for drug addiction at the new treatment centre in Dundrum, County Dublin.
39.
asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in opening the new drug treatment centre at Usher's Island, Dublin.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
I would suggest that the Deputy address his inquiries about these two facilities to the Eastern Health Board which is responsible for their administration.
40.
asked the Minister for Health whether a person (details supplied) who has had a problem with drugs for about five years was recently refused admission to the drug treatment centre at Dundrum, County Dublin; and, if so, why.
The admission of patients to the facility mentioned is a matter for the Eastern Health Board which is responsible for its administration.
Is the Minister aware that a youth, the eldest of eight children, who has had a drug problem for five years has been refused admission to the treatment centre at Dundrum? Can the Minister state why he is being refused admission? Why have the doctors refused to take him in and why is this boy allowed to terrorise his own family?
On this occasion I will show the Deputy confidentially the reason. This matter must be left to the Eastern Health Board. I proclaimed the general policy, I arranged for the capital to enable the premises of the Dundrum Central Mental Hospital to be established but Deputies, at least in the first instance, should inquire from the relative health board in regard to this matter. I will speak to the Deputy privately in regard to this case.