I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 126 together.
I want to acknowledge, with regret, the tragic deaths late last year of a number of heroin users in Dublin. They illustrate again the inherent dangers associated with drug misuse. In order for the exact cause of these deaths to be ascertained, toxicology reports were initiated. However, I understand the results of these tests are not yet available.
Illegal drug use is a global issue and so our efforts to tackle it in Ireland must be seen in that context. The enormity and the geographic scale of the struggle we face can best be illustrated by looking at the sources of the drugs that are sold on our streets. Heroin comes mainly from the so-called Golden Crescent of Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also from Burma, Laos and Thailand. Furthermore, as the Deputy points out, particularly good harvests in the countries of origin only serve to exacerbate the global situation. To really get to grips with the international problems of drug misuse, I believe that it is imperative that the drug issue be tackled in the countries of origin, as well as in all the countries through which the drugs travel before they reach our shores.
I acknowledge the level of major seizures of heroin in recent times and I congratulate the Gardaí on these successes. The nature of any relationship between the level of drugs seizures and the prevalence of drug usage is extremely difficult to determine. The perception is that heroin use has stabilised in Dublin and that it is at low levels nationwide, with some Leinster towns being mentioned as areas of potential risk. However, our most up-to-date and comprehensive data comes from the all-island Drug Prevalence Survey 2002/2003. Fieldwork for the second such Survey is currently in progress and will be completed in April, with first reports becoming available in the autumn. With respect to heroin use in particular, the Capture/Recapture Study was published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs in 2003 and a further such study is being commissioned this year. These surveys will give us a much clearer view of the prevalence and changing nature of drug misuse in Ireland.
In regard to the resources available to tackle drug misuse, I am delighted to have secured a 16% increase in my Department's funding to tackle drug misuse in 2007, especially as it follows on from very significant increases in the previous two years. The allocation of €50m shows an increase of 87% on the corresponding figure for 2004. The significantly increased figure illustrates the importance that the Government places on tackling the drugs problem across the country.
In 2007, substantial progress is expected by the Regional Drugs Task Forces in implementing their action plans. Meanwhile, through the Emerging Needs Fund, the Local Drugs Task Forces will be able to address the most pressing issues arising in the evolving drugs situation in their areas. In addition, the Minister for Health & Children announced an increase of €6 million as part of Budget 2007 to address the health-related aspects of the National Drugs Strategy. Overall, therefore, the allocation by the Government across a number of Departments to tackle the drugs problem in 2007 will be well in excess of €200m in total.
I believe that there are encouraging signs of progress over the past couple of years in tackling the problem of drug use in Ireland — be it in the areas of drug seizures, the expansion and success of treatment services, the development of prevention programmes in schools, the expanding work of Local and Regional Drug Task Forces and the valuable work being done through the Young People's Facility & Services Fund. Through the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing to tackle the problem into the future.
