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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 6

Written Answers. - Drug Abuse.

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

89 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the recently launched report on the significant increase in heroin use in the Drogheda area; the action he intends to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24134/03]

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

142 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress which has been made in establishing the regional drugs task forces; the projects which have been developed and funded under regional drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24153/03]

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

145 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the necessary resources will be made available in 2004 to deliver on plans for regional drug task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24148/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 89, 142 and 145 together.

One of the key recommendations in the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 is that regional drugs task forces, RDTFs, be established throughout the country. The strategy proposes that RDTFs be established in each of the ten health board areas to develop appropriate policies for the regions.

I am happy to say that virtually all of the task forces are now up and running and are meeting regularly. As a first step in the process of developing action plans, the task forces are currently mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas and the level and range of existing services. This work is being done with a view to better co-ordination of existing services and identifying gaps in the overall service provision.

The situation regarding drug use patterns in the Drogheda area will be considered by the RDTF established in the North-Eastern Health Board area.

I expect that the action plans for the RDTFs will be developed during the course of 2004 as the work referred to above is completed. They will then be submitted to the national drugs strategy team for consideration and ultimately to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion for approval.

Funding for the implementation of the RDTF action plans will be considered in the context of the overall moneys available in 2004.

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