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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Nov 2003

Vol. 575 No. 5

Written Answers. - Drugs Abuse.

John Bruton

Ceist:

65 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the specific projects and initiatives which have been introduced by the local drugs task forces to deal with the problem of cocaine abuse as indicated by him in response to a parliamentary question on 21 October 2003, in view of the fact that it is growing as the drug of choice in many disadvantaged communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28643/03]

As I said in my previous reply, 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 people's 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 their area based on their own identified priorities. In total, approximately 500 projects have been approved between both rounds of action plans.

These projects provide a range of services in the areas of supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation aimed at targeting the misuse of a number of different drugs, including cocaine. We have to be aware that many drug users engage in poly-drug use and, therefore, services should be able to address this pattern of usage rather than concentrating on one drug to the exclusion of others.

In regard to treatment, as the Deputy will be aware, there is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and I am advised that existing services, such as counselling and behavioural therapy, are the best treatments available. In this context, it should be noted that the three area health boards of the Eastern Regional Health Authority have recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in the last number of years. In addition, the Northern Area Health Board has established a treatment clinic dedicated to cocaine misuse in the north inner city.

I assure the Deputy that I will keep the matter of cocaine use under close and ongoing review. Furthermore, it should be noted that the strategy 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 refocusing of the strategy, if necessary. The need to amend the strategy to reflect changing patterns of drug use will be considered in that context.

Regional drug task forces have been established in each health board area. 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 reflected in the measures proposed in their actions plans.
Question No. 66 answered with Question No. 13.
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