asked the Minister for Health if he will institute an inquiry into the alleged tranquilliser menace which is stated to be causing people to lose their moral fibre and become unable to face the normal crises of life.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tranquilliser Menance.
87.
In the main, the group of drugs described as tranquillisers are available only on medical prescription and their availability is thus controllable by the prescribing doctor. The larger issue of the increased demand from the public on their doctors for help in times of stress is of course a complex one.
The organised medical profession have indicated their awareness of this problem and their preparedness to tackle it so far as concerns their role. I agree in general with the views recently expressed on this issue by the president of the Irish Medical Association. Persons must be encouraged to cultivate more balanced attitudes to the problems of everyday living. I would see the recently established Health Education Bureau playing an important role in this regard.
I do not think that a formal inquiry on this issue is called for at present. The health authorities have knowledge available from the operation of the services on the use of these drugs which is sufficient to form a basis of policy.