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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 5

Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

15 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his Department's views on the findings on ecstasy use by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction on behalf of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs. [28584/03]

The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, EMCDDA, recently launched its annual report for 2003 on the state of the drugs problem in the European Union and Norway.

The report found that after cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy are the second most commonly used illicit drugs in Europe. In this context, use in Ireland over the last 12 months was reported as high and being just under 5% in the 15 to 34 year old age group. However, the Deputy should note that the data reported in relation to ecstasy use in Ireland is primarily based on the 1998 SLÁN survey.

I recently launched results from the first drug prevalence survey in Ireland. This survey was undertaken jointly by the national advisory committee on drugs, for which my Department has responsibility, and the drug and alcohol information and research unit in Northern Ireland. It provides solid statistical information and up-to-date figures on drug use in Ireland.

As part of the survey, a total of 8,442 people were interviewed between October 2002 and April 2003 in line with EMCDDA guidelines. The survey reported ecstasy usage in the last year in the 15 to 34 year old age bracket at 2.2% and at 1.1% for 15 to 64 year old group. Although this level of usage is still of concern, it shows Ireland to be more in line with European norms.
In general, the drug prevalence survey found that the vast majority of the general population have never used any illegal drugs and that a relatively small percentage is currently using illegal drugs. However, we are aware that drug use – including ecstasy – continues to do much harm in society and the Government is determined to continue tackling it through the on-going implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008.
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