I propose to take Questions Nos. 76, 80, 93, 109 and 111 together.
While anecdotal evidence suggests that there has been a growth in the use of cocaine, we are not in a position to quantify the level of any increase. The 2002-03 national drug prevalence survey provides comprehensive baseline information on cocaine use in this country. This study, which surveyed 8,442 people aged 15-64 in Ireland and Northern Ireland between October 2002 and April 2003, reported that 3% of the population had used cocaine at some time, 1.1% had used it in the previous 12 months and 0.3% had used it in the previous month. I understand that these figures put us at roughly average at that time in terms of cocaine use in other European countries where similar comprehensive population surveys were undertaken.
It is intended that a second comprehensive drug prevalence study will be carried out from late 2006 to mid-2007. Preliminary analysis will be done in the months following that, with a first report of national prevalence figures and trends expected late in 2007. At that stage we will be much better placed to measure effectively changes in the level of cocaine use in Ireland.
I am confident that through the implementation of the actions in the national drugs strategy and the projects and initiatives operated through the local and regional drugs task forces, the problem of cocaine use can be addressed. Each of the drugs task forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in their area based on their own identified priorities and they continue to have ongoing contact with their local communities.
There is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and existing services, such as counselling and behavioural therapy, are the best treatments available. In this context, the Health Service Executive has recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in recent years. Furthermore, in 2005 I launched four pilot cocaine treatment projects to examine different methods of treatment for cocaine use, as well as a training initiative focusing on frontline workers. Funding of almost €400,000 was provided by me to support these initiatives. The four projects deal with the following cohorts of cocaine users: intravenous cocaine users; poly-drug users using cocaine; problematic intranasal cocaine users; and problematic female cocaine users.
The evaluation of these pilot projects has commenced and it is expected that a preliminary report will be available in the coming months. The main thrust of the evaluation will be to analyse, in a systematic manner, what is being achieved by the projects and to report on the lessons to be learned as a result. It is hoped that the results of this evaluation will aid the formulation of effective actions aimed at tackling cocaine misuse. If they prove to be effective, I will roll similar projects out on a national basis, where necessary.
All schools now have substance misuse prevention programmes. In addition, the national drugs awareness campaign focused specifically on cocaine use in 2004-05. This well received campaign sought to dispel the image that cocaine was a clean and safe drug with few detrimental consequences. Moreover, I have established a rehabilitation working group to examine the current provision of services for drug misusers, including those who abuse cocaine. This group includes representatives from a range of Departments and agencies involved in delivering rehabilitation services as well as the national drugs strategy team, NDST, the national advisory committee on drugs, NACD, and representatives from the community and voluntary sectors. The report of the working group will be available in the coming months.
I assure the Deputies that I am in ongoing contact with all those involved in the provision of treatment, including the Minister for Health and Children. While the problems of cocaine use must not be underestimated, I believe progress is being made and I will continue to respond in a flexible and focused way as the situation evolves.