National Drugs Strategy.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2005

Tuesday, 18 October 2005

Ceisteanna (190, 191)

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

263 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received a copy of the midlands regional task force Darkness on the Edge of Town into heroin misuse in Athlone and Portlaoise; her views on whether the report’s finding that the location of a treatment centre in Athlone, with a transient clientele from Dublin, had contributed considerably to heroin use in the area; her further views on the need for a dedicated addiction service response for those aged under 18 who are misusing drugs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28985/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. However, the Deputy may be aware that my Department recently published a report entitled Report of the Working Group on Treatment of Under 18 year olds Presenting to Treatment Services with Serious Drug Problems. Action 49 of the national drugs strategy 2001-2008 related to the development of a protocol for the treatment of under 18 year olds presenting to drug services with serious drug misuse problems.

In response to this action a working group was established comprising statutory and non-statutory representation. The group undertook a number of initiatives including a review of services within the former ERHA and of service gaps nationally. The group's report sets out a framework for the delivery of drug treatment services for under 18 year olds.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

264 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has received a copy of the report The Health of Irish Students which shows a significant level of drug abuse among college students here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that drug use among students in the 15-25 age bracket is higher than among those of a similar age in the general population; the steps she will take to implement the report’s ten recommendations for positive health for students; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28986/05]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. S. Power)

I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy. This report entitled The Health of Irish Students was commissioned by the health promotion unit of my Department and published earlier this year. The report provides a national student lifestyle profile and is the result of a national lifestyle survey among undergraduate full time students in 21 third level colleges in Ireland. The health promotion unit is co-sponsoring a two day conference with various stakeholders including the Higher Education Authority, Health Service Executive, Students Union of Ireland etc. to examine ways of responding in a positive manner to the recommendations outlined in the report.