asked the Minister for Justice the size of the drug squad in September 1983 and the size of the drug squad in June 1984 in (i) the Dublin area and (ii) countrywide.
Written Answers. - Drug Squad.
565.
, Limerick East): As I mentioned in my replies to previous questions on this subject, the various units of the Drug Squad are not the primary arm of the Garda Síochána in their dealings with drug offences. Over 1,600 members of the Force, representative of all Garda divisions and including almost 800 members from the Dublin metropolitan area, have to date completed an intensive training course in anti-drugs work provided as part of the Garda in-service training programme. This is quite apart from the fact that all members of the Force have a responsibility in the matter as part of their general duties.
It will be seen, therefore, that comparative statistics of the kind sought in the question are not indicative of the increased involvement of the Garda Síochána in the prevention and detection of drug abuse. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current operational strength of the Drug Squad is 47 of whom 35 are assigned to the Dublin unit. The corresponding figures for 1 September 1983 are 43 and 31, respectively.