Vol. 467 No. 7
113 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health whether the recent appointment of an adviser on drug treatment to the Eastern Health Board signals a change in Government policy in relation to the legalisation of some drugs; whether any departure in policy is signalled by the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14351/96]
Limerick East): The Eastern Health Board has not appointed an adviser on drug treatment. I presume the Deputy is referring to the independent assessors who were asked by the Eastern Health Board earlier this year to review the range of drug treatment services provided by the board.
As the Deputy will be aware the Government reaffirmed its policy position in regard to drug legalisation in February this year when it announced a package of demand reduction measures to prevent drug misuse. Included in these measures was a clear statement that "no steps should be taken to legalise or decriminalise the use of soft drugs such as cannabis". The Government's position on this issue has not changed.
