Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Jul 1997

Vol. 480 No. 2

Written Answers. - Drugs Task Force Report.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

24 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach his views on the recommendations of the second report of the ministerial task force on measures to reduce the demand for drugs; if he will implement the recommendations in respect of a youth services development fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/97]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

25 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach if the Government will implement the outstanding elements of the first report of the ministerial task force on measures to reduce the demand for drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13717/97]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 25 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the two reports produced by the ministerial task force contained a range of proposals for tackling the demand side of the drugs problem. The first report dealt primarily with heroin abuse which is concentrated in areas characterised by high levels of social and economic exclusion and is undoubtedly the most pressing aspect of the drugs problem confronting us at present. The second report dealt with, among other issues, the misuse of so-called "soft drugs" such as cannabis and Ecstasy, as well as the question of how best to deal with drug mis-users who come into contact with the criminal justice system.

The two reports proposed a range of measures for tackling these problems, especially in the areas of treatment, rehabilitation and education/prevention. They also proposed the establishment of local drugs task forces in the areas worst affected by the drugs menace, supported at the centre by a national drugs strategy team.

I agree with the broad thrust of the strategies outlined in the two reports, many elements of which are currently being implemented. With regard to the proposed youth services development fund, which Deputy Rabbitte refers to specifically in one of his questions, I see the provision of amenities and services for young people as a particularly important strategy in the area of drugs education/prevention and I would, therefore, endorse the establishment of such a fund.

I have assigned lead responsibility for the national drugs strategy to the Minister of State, Deputy Flood, who will have the local development brief at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation. I will chair a Cabinet committee which will oversee the implementation of the Government's comprehensive drugs strategy.

I pay tribute to the work carried out by Deputy Rabbitte and his committee. It is our firm intention to build on this work and continue to develop strategies to tackle the drugs scourge.