Vol. 572 No. 6
73 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when his Department will draw up strategic guidelines to halt the spread of cocaine use in disadvantaged communities; if new guidelines will be formulated by his Department and included in the national drugs strategy; and the resources which will be available during 2004 to enable community drug projects and statutory agencies to tackle the growing cocaine problem. [24194/03]
The Deputy's question is timely given that the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, for which my Department has responsibility published the results of a national population survey of drug use yesterday, 20 October. This is the first occasion that a comprehensive survey has been carried out on an all-island basis on the extent of drug misuse.
On cocaine, the survey shows that 3.1% of the population have used the drug at some time; 1.1% used it in the past 12 months; and, 0.3% used it in the past month. Compared with similar surveys undertaken in other European countries, these figures suggest that Ireland is roughly average in terms of use.
While anecdotal evidence would suggest that cocaine use has increased, the Deputy should be aware that the numbers presenting for treatment are still very low and, in total, make up approximately 1% of those in treatment. Similarly, cocaine-related offences remain relatively small compared to other drugs and account for approximately 3% of all such offences.
In the circumstances, I do not consider that additional guidelines are required at this time. I am confident that through the implementation of the 100 actions in the national drugs strategy 2001-08 and through projects and initiatives operated through the local drugs task forces and the young peoples facilities and services fund, the problem of cocaine use can be addressed.
Each of the local drugs task forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in its area based on its own identified priorities. About €130 million has been spent locally. Regional drugs task forces are also being established in each health board area and many of these are now up and running. 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. Where cocaine use is found to be a problem, this can be reflected in the measures proposed in the action plans.
Will the Minister of State read the relevant section on the prevalence of cocaine use during the past year? The tables in the survey from which he quoted show that Ireland was third of ten European countries for the use of cocaine, coming after Spain and the United Kingdom. Looking at the cohort of young people across Europe using cocaine, Ireland lies fourth. Our position is not in the middle but in the top three or four and the problem is far more serious than the Minister of State says it is.
The Minister of State referred to the number of convictions for cocaine use over the year 2001 which is the last year for which figures are available. The increase in the Dublin region was 53%, in the northern region the number of convictions went up from two to 13, in the western region from seven to 17 and in the southern region from 21 to 51. There has been a significant increase in convictions. Notwithstanding what the Minister of State said, I do not accept that he has any treatment facilities available for people who are using cocaine because the only treatment there is for the problem is one-to-one counselling. This is very expensive but is necessary. Will he consider including more money in his Estimates to provide counselling for people who have this significant problem?
Community groups are telling us that there is a significant increase in cocaine use among young people yet the Government is sitting back and doing nothing about it.
The Deputy questioned the figures for cocaine use last year. The figure for Spain was 2.6%, the United Kingdom was 2.0% and the Netherlands and Ireland were 1.1%. Of the nine or ten countries surveyed we are joint third. While considerably behind some of them, overall we are about average or slightly ahead.
The number of convictions for cocaine use has gone up. While convictions and seizures increased from about 170 in 1999 to 300 two years later, they are still only 3% of overall drug convictions. Most drug convictions are for cannabis which is the big problem.
There is no substitute treatment for cocaine use as there is for heroin use with methadone. Counselling and behaviour therapy sessions are what exist and we can only treat those people who come forward. The Eastern Regional Health Authority and the strategy are flexible enough to allow them adapt. The authority did commence a clinic some months ago in the north city specifically for people with cocaine difficulties. The problem is that these people are slower to come forward because they do not realise the damage cocaine is doing to them.
It is not true to say that cocaine is exclusively a young person's drug. Traditionally cocaine was used by the more professional classes but its use has spread into other sectors of the community. Anecdotal evidence would suggest there has been an increase in its use in recent times. However, we have not got that in hard facts and figures yet. I do not think it is young people of 15 or 16 years of age who are using it. It is still people well into their 20s or 30s who are more likely to be using it.
The drugs task forces are being funded. There is no difficulty with their funding and they can adapt their plans as necessary.
