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National Drugs Strategy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 November 2004

Wednesday, 3 November 2004

Ceisteanna (86)

Emmet Stagg

Ceist:

135 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to recent figures produced by the Health Research Board showing that drug use outside of Dublin almost trebled between 1998 and 2002; the steps that are being taken to prevent the supply and distribution of illegal drugs in these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27273/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government's overall policy to tackle the drug problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008: Building on Experience, and responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the strategy lies with my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Noel Ahern.

The report compiled by the Health Research Board to which the Deputy refers, trends in treated problem opiate use in the seven health board areas outside the Eastern Regional Health Authority, 1998 to 2002, was launched in early September 2004. I understand the report shows that the numbers in treatment for heroin use outside the Eastern Regional Health Authority has increased in that four-year period rather than determines the extent of any increase in drug prevalence in these areas during this period, as is suggested by the Deputy. In terms of such prevalence, I am informed that the best estimates available at present on opiate use were released by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs last year. Its research found that there were approximately 2,200 heroin users outside Dublin, although a number of these would be in Wicklow and Kildare which are part of the ERHA region.

While the fact that a significant number of opiate users continues to exist among our communities remains an issue of major concern which leaves us with no room for complacency on this matter, the increasing numbers of such users who are coming forward and presenting for treatment, as it becomes more readily available and which is highlighted by the findings of the Health Research Board's report, is in line with one of the key commitments in the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008, which is to increase the number of treatment places available for drug misusers.

Regarding the specific trends in opiate misuse in the seven health board areas, in particular, in counties Carlow, Cavan, Louth, Meath and Westmeath, the Minister of State, Deputy Noel Ahern, has already recently informed the House that he will be continuing to monitor this situation closely. The programme for Government calls for monitoring the use of heroin, in particular outside of Dublin, and in this regard, the NACD is currently in the process of setting up an early warning system to address this issue.

In addition, the regional drugs task forces, which were set up to develop appropriate policies to deal with drug misuse in the regions, are currently mapping out the patterns of drug misuse in their areas as well as the range and level of existing services with a view to better co-ordination and addressing gaps in the overall provision. Where opiate use is a problem in particular areas, it is expected that this will be reflected in their action plans coming forward in 2005.

In relation to drug supply reduction, I am informed by the Garda authorities that due to the nature of illegal drug distribution within the State, the Garda tackles the problem on a number of different levels. At local level, divisional and district drug units have been established with the remit of targeting individuals engaged in the sale and distribution of drugs to local communities and responsibility for the co-ordination of drugs policy has been assigned to an individual in each Garda district. Furthermore, as a follow up to requests from local communities, the Criminal Assets Bureau focuses on local drug dealers who profit from criminal activity. At a national level, units such as the National Drugs Unit, the Criminal Assets Bureau and the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation all have specific roles in reducing drug supply and the material benefits which accrue therefrom.

In addition, other units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the national criminal intelligence unit all indirectly support drug law enforcement. All the national support units are now under the dedicated direction of an assistant commissioner.

Internationally, the Garda Síochána has liaison officers based in London, Paris, The Hague and Madrid as well as at Europol and Interpol headquarters to facilitate international co-operation, especially in the area of drug-related crime.

The Garda Síochána remains committed to the objectives of the National Drugs Strategy and the force will continue to rigorously enforce the law in relation to the supply and distribution of illegal drugs in all areas of the State.

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