asked the Minister for Justice the strength of the Garda anti-drug squad in terms of manpower.
Written Answers. - Anti-Drugs Squad.
1062.
I should mention that figures of the strength of the anti-drugs squad, as that term is normally used, can be misleading in that the members of the various units of the Drug Squad are not the only members of the force dealing with and having special training in the prevention and control of drug abuse. There is a continuing and expanding programme of providing special training of members from every Garda Division in anti-drugs work and, while these members are not engaged exclusively in such work, they pay particular attention to the problem of drug abuse.
The current operational strength of the permanent units of the Drug Squad is 42 but, apart from those already mentioned in the various divisions, there are another seven members also engaged full-time at present in the investigation of drug offences.