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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Drug Abuse.

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

64 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the significant increase in the availability and use of cocaine in the past year; the specific steps, if any, he will take to tackle this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2662/00]

The Minister has been informed by the Garda authorities that the user base for cocaine has altered in Ireland during the past two-three years. Garda intelligence suggests that cocaine, which was previously used primarily by more "affluent" users, is now being used on a wider basis. The increase in the seizures of cocaine in recent years has strengthened the belief of the Garda that the Irish market for this drug has grown. In 1998 and 1999 the Garda seized 400kg of cocaine. However, the Garda also believe that a large percentage of the recent seizures of cocaine were destined for the UK and mainland Europe, and were seized while in transit.

The Garda authorities have assured the Minister that the trends associated with cocaine use are constantly reviewed so that effective measures can be deployed to stem the flow of this drug into Ireland.
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