asked the Minister for Health if this country participates fully in, and contributes to, the activities of international organisations involved in the fight against drug trafficking and drug abuse prevention and treatment.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Drug Trafficking.
6.
I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland is fully participating in, and contributing to, all of the activities aimed at tackling drug trafficking and promoting drug abuse prevention and treatment which are currently being undertaken by the European Community, the Council of Europe and the United Nations.
The Garda authorities co-operate mainly through Interpol in their drug trafficking activities and prevention and detection activities. Similarly, the Customs authorities co-operate with the Customs Co-operation Council in their drug abuse prevention activities.
Would the Minister agree that we are fortunate in this country to be some years behind the progressive experience of other countries regarding drug abuse particularly trafficking in hard drugs, and that we can gain a good deal by being plugged into their experiences and the programmes they have evolved to deal with drug abuse? Has the Minister specific officers in his Department who monitor this and who are involved at community level in it?
Yes. We have a very experienced assistant secretary who is our permanent representative and correspondent with the Pompidou Group and we have also a number of other officers, including our professional staff at pharmacist level. In the GMS where we have a fair degree of experience of the irresponsible prescribing of drugs our staff have gained considerable experience in that area. I assure the Deputy that we are keeping in very close touch with the problem although, as he is aware, the number of staff in the Department is small and they are stretched across a wide range of activities.