asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the article in the press (details supplied) of 31 March 1985, regarding heroin exports from a stated country; and if he will consider a diplomatic offensive against such countries to help deal with the drugs problem in this country.
Written Answers. - Drugs Problem.
98.
The article referred to illustrates the scale of the problem of controlling heroin production, and the problems which the Governments of producing countries must face in tackling the producers and dealers. Corruption and criminality are features of the activities of those involved in drug dealing throughout its whole chain from producer to street pusher.
The article indicates that the Government of the country named is concerned about the problem, and has reduced the quantity of drugs produced in areas under its control. The article also gives the view that not enough is being done to combat the problem.
I understand in fact that the Government in question co-operates with the United Nations drug agencies, and in particular with the UN Fund for Drug Abuse Control which has been particularly happy with the results of its programmes there for crop substitution.
On a more general level, the question of tackling the vast problem of production, transport and distribution of drugs is clearly one where only international co-operation can succeed.
Ireland of course co-operates fully with various UN agencies involved in this question. Ireland is also a member of the Council of Europe Co-operation Group to Combat Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Drugs (called the "Pompidou Group"), which is at present looking at various new ways to combat traffic in drugs.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government appointed a special task force on drug abuse and the report of the task force was issued in September 1983.
I was heartened by the apparent increase in world wide awareness of the seriousness of the problems posed by drug production and traffic that was shown in the debates at the United Nations General Assembly at the end of 1984. In fact the awareness of the seriousness of the problem at the highest level in many countries seemed to have increased. In addition to the expressions of commitment contained in the resolutions adopted on this subject, certain concrete initiatives were undertaken there to tackle the up-dating of controls on drug movements.
In my view it is through international co-operation of these kinds, and through the fostering of world wide awareness of the seriousness of the problem, that most can be contributed to the problem.