The National Co-ordinating Committee on Drug Abuse was reconstituted in 1990 with the following terms of reference:
—the development of a National Plan which will cover both the demand and supply aspects of drug abuse and drug trafficking;
—the co-ordination of the Ratification of the UN Convention on the Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances 1988 and
—the co-ordination of participation at international meetings relating to drugs.
The committee met on two occasions in 1992, on two occasions in 1993 and has not met to date in 1994.
The original committee prepared a report in 1986, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas Library. In 1991 the Government approved the reconstituted National Strategy to Prevent Drug Misuse which had been prepared by the National Co-ordinating Committee. In 1992 the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS was produced. Both reports form the basis for the strategy measures to prevent drug misuse which is so closely identified with HIV/AIDS in this country. These strategies are being implemented in this country by the relevant authorities and agencies including the Garda, Customs and Excise, health boards etc. I am satisfied that the two reports have enabled a radical overhaul of the care, treatment and preventative services in this area to be accomplished.
As regards the future role of the National Co-ordinating Committee on Drug Abuse, I understand that my colleague the Minister for Justice is examining future structures for national co-ordination at present to ensure that the real advances which have been achieved in recent times are built upon.
