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National Drugs Strategy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2004

Tuesday, 9 November 2004

Ceisteanna (65, 66, 67, 68)

Joe Costello

Ceist:

122 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Finance in regard to seeking increased funding for local drugs task forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27985/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Joe Costello

Ceist:

130 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which community research is contributing to efforts to combat drug abuse here; the support that he is giving to community-based organisations working on drug use; if he has asked the Department of Finance for more funds for these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27986/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

272 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which he has offered assistance to communities involved in the fight against drugs in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28134/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

273 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of urban and rural community groups to which he has awarded grant aid or other assistance in the fight against drugs; if he has proposals to increase activity in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28135/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 122, 130, 272 and 273 together.

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. My Department also has responsibility for the work of 14 local drugs task forces, LDTFs, which were established in the areas experiencing the highest levels of drug misuse, particularly heroin.

To date, more than €80 million has been allocated to the task forces to implement their two rounds of local action plans. A broad range of community-based projects are being supported in areas such as treatment, prevention, education etc., through these plans. A further €12.8 million has been allocated to capital projects under the LDTF premises initiative, which is designed to meet the accommodation needs of community based drugs projects. In addition, approximately €75 million has been allocated to support the work of the young people's facilities and services fund in LDTF areas and four other urban centres. 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 misuse.

My Department also has responsibility for the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, which was established in July 2000 to advise the Government on the prevalence, prevention, treatment and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland based on the analysis of research findings and information available to it. The NACD launched a community-voluntary sector research grant scheme to generate innovative, community-based drugs research in December 2001. Arising from this scheme, four research studies were published in September last. Ballymun youth action project undertook a study on the role of benzodiazepines in the development of substance misuse problems in Ballymun Kilbarrack coast community programme examined the issue of drug misuse among ten to 17 year olds in the Kilbarrack area. Merchants Quay Ireland examined drug use among new communities in Ireland. Tallaght homeless advice unit explored the links between homelessness and drug use. The findings of these studies are being examined by various Departments and will also be considered by my Department in the context of the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy.

I refer to funding for drugs work. The Estimates process for 2005 is ongoing and my Department has been in discussions with the Department of Finance in this regard. While the Deputies will appreciate that the allocations for my Department for next year have not been finalised, I assure them that tackling drug misuse remains a priority for this Government and it is my intention that significant resources will continue to be targeted at this problem.

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