asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the serious increase in drug abuse in the city and county of Dublin and in the nation generally, he will make a statement on the problem; and if he will review existing legislation with a view to including drug pushing/selling as a scheduled offence under the Offences against the State Act to allow the Special Criminal Court to deal effectively with that form of criminality.
Written Answers. - Drug Abuse.
539.
I am very concerned about the growing incidence of drug abuse in this country. Indeed, the Government share my concern and this is why it was decided to establish the Special Governmental Task Force on Drug Abuse.
The task force was set up to review and report on the question of drug abuse, with particular reference to the inner-city area of Dublin.
As well as examining proposals to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977, to allow easier enforcement of its provisions the task force have also been considering the adequacy or otherwise of the existing court procedures and, indeed, the penalties for persons convicted of drug trafficking.
The task force will be making a series of recommendations in their report on how the present serious drug problem should be tackled and I think we should await this report which will be ready very soon.