Róisín Shortall
Ceist:34 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made to date in implementing the new national drugs strategy launched in May 2001. [28567/03]
Written Answers. - National Drugs Strategy.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The strategy contains 100 individual actions under the four pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and research, to be implemented by a range of Departments and agencies.
Since it was launched in May 2001, Departments and agencies have made considerable progress in implementing the actions set out for them in the strategy. Six monthly progress reports on the strategy are provided to the Cabinet Sub-committee on Social Inclusion and it is intended to submit a further progress report to the committee in the first half of the new year. In terms of progress to date, it should be noted that considerable progress is also being made as regards increasing the number of methadone treatment places. The number of places at the end of August 2003, the latest date for which confirmed figures are available, was 6,805. The equivalent figure at the end of 2000 was 5,032. The Department of Health and Children launched the first phase of a national awareness campaign on 15 May. The campaign features television and radio advertising supported by an information brochure and website, all designed to promote greater awareness and communication about the drugs issue in Ireland. This first phase targeted the general population while the second phase, launched in October, is aimed at parents. Co-ordinators and chairs have been appointed in all of the regional drugs task force areas and most are now up and running and meeting regularly. They are currently working on mapping out the patterns of drug misuse as well as services already available in their areas with a view to co-ordinating these existing services and addressing gaps in service provision. Customs and Excise have launched a coastal watch programme and implemented a number of measures to enhance drugs detection capability at points of entry. Guidelines to assist schools in the development of a drugs policy have also been developed and were issued to all primary and post-primary schools in May 2002. The Department of Education and Science implemented substance misuse prevention programmes in all schools in the local drugs task force areas during the academic year 2001-02 and the social personal and health programme has been on the curricula of all primary and secondary schools since September 2003. This work is being supported by the SPHE support service, which has recruited additional trainers and support officers. Over 1,100 recovering drug misusers are now special FÁS community employment schemes.
The strategy also provides for an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the overall framework by end-2004. This will examine the progress being made in achieving the overall key strategic goals set out in the strategy and will enable priorities for further action to be identified and a re-focusing of the strategy, if necessary.
My Department also has overall responsibility for the work of the local drugs task forces, LTDFs, which were established in 1997 in the areas experiencing the worst levels of drug misuse. There are 14 LDTFs – 12 in Dublin, one in Cork, and one in Bray. Over €14.5 million has been allocated to the task forces to implement their second round of action plans. The Deputy should also note that over €11.6 million has been allocated to projects under the premises initiative, which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects, the majority of which are in LDTF areas.
In addition, over €59 million has been allocated under the young peoples facilities and services fund. The main aim of the fund is to attract at risk young people in disadvantaged areas into recreational facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse.
Question No. 35 answered with Question No. 8.