Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with many of the sentiments expressed. Deputy Murphy O'Mahony clearly highlighted that the prevention pillar of the national drugs strategy has not worked. There is no awareness among our younger generation, in particular, about the dangers of drugs consumption. We are discussing the criminal element of this issue but how are we educating young people about the dangers of all the substances they are using and abusing? We have failed at both primary and secondary levels. SPHE is dysfunctional as a subject. It is often used by teachers of another subject to teach that subject. SPHE needs to be properly audited and reformed. We are not enriching our young people through education about the dangers of drugs. We have failed to make them aware. I asked the Tánaiste earlier this week about the road traffic Bill, which will address drug drivers who consume a multiplicity of drugs. They can be convicted of drink driving but not drug driving. The Bill is being delayed until the autumn. The Minister of State needs to accelerate that legislation.

I agree that prevention and treatment are the key in order that drugs policy reform be dealt with in a holistic way. The Minister of State mentioned she will consider Suboxone as part of the new national drugs strategy. Does she agree that given the current licensing arrangements, its approval could be delayed for a year or two? Medical, pharmaceutical and drug treatment professionals want this medicine to be approved.

By delaying it, we are not going to see the initiation of the treatment. If we put it on a legislative footing, it could then be licensed and allocated accordingly. The Minister of State needs to clarify why it is just being kicked into the next national drugs strategy and why we are not dealing with what the director general of the HSE has said to the previous Minister of State with responsibility for drugs.