Health Committee to discuss drug abuse with Aislinn Adolescent Addiction Centre and Spunout

Committee Chairman, Jerry Buttimer, TD, said: “Drug abuse and illegal drug use is a huge problem for society in general and for individuals in particular. For many, it results in psychological, physical and behavioural problems, destroying relationships, tearing apart families, ruining careers and leading to long-term health problems. Drug abuse also has wider implications for society in terms of crime, anti-social behaviour and pressure on the health service.

Very often, it is difficult for many of us to understand why people experiment with drugs in the first place or to be aware of the pressures that many people, particularly young people, come under to dabble with drugs and so we have little understanding of the lives that drug abusers lead. Understanding these reasons will enable us to maximise the effectiveness of policy and legislative provisions.

Tomorrow’s meeting with representatives from Aislinn and Spunout provides us with an opportunity to look at the problem of illegal drug use from the perspective of young people. Aislinn is a Family Orientated Residential Programme that helps families in distress due to a young person’s alcohol/drug abuse and difficulties due to gambling, while SpunOut.ie is a youth-led media initiative covering all aspects of youth information, health, lifestyle and activism.\"

This meeting will take place tomorrow, Thursday, 8th September, in Committee Room 2, Leinster House 2000 at 11.30am.

Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o

For further information please contact:

Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2

P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551

Committee Membership:

Deputies

Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael
Catherine Byrne, Fine Gael
Michael Colreavy, Sinn Fein
Ciara Conway, Labour Party
Regina Doherty, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Peter Fitzpatrick, Fine Gael
Seamus Healy, Independent
Derek Keating, Fine Gael
Billy Kelleher, Fine Fail
Eamonn Maloney, Labour Party
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fail
Mattie McGrath, Independent
Denis Naughten, Fine Gael
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Sinn Fein

Senators

Colm Burke, Fine Gael
John Crown, Independent
David Cullinane, Sine Fein
John Gilroy, Labour Party
Imelda Henry, Fine Gael
Marc Mac Sharry, Fine Fail
Jillian Van Turnhout, Independent