Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 1

Written Answers. - Commonly Abused Drugs.

Rory O'Hanlon

Ceist:

79 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Justice the type of drug abuse which is most common at present; the amount of each such drug confiscated; the number of persons charged with supply or possessing such drugs to date this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9006/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the most commonly abused drugs are cannabis, ecstasy and heroin. The statistical information requested for this year by the Deputy is not available but I can provide provisional figures for amounts seized in 1994 and these are set out as follows:

Drugs	Amount seized
Cannabis	1,461 kgs.
Ecstasy	28,671 tablets
Heroin	4,649 grams

As regards the number of persons charged with supply or possession of the above drugs, I am informed that Garda statistics are not maintained in such a manner as to readily provide the information requested. However, I can state that a total of 4,053 persons were charged with drug offences in 1994. The great majority of these persons would have been charged in relation to the three drugs previously mentioned.