Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy referred to stigmatisation. We have to take the stigma away from people who use drugs. I refer to the health-led approach in recent years. In addition, the work ongoing with the Department of Justice has been considerable.

The Deputy referred to the drug task forces. They are the eyes and ears of the community. They bring to the attention of the HSE what needs to be funded and what areas need to be tackled. He is absolutely right that the services they have provided for decades have been incredible.

In every task force and group, however, you need proper and good governance and you need structures in place. I am not saying the task force does not have those structures but things evolve, as does the way we do our business. I think there is a lot of good governance with officials working within the HSE.

Returning to the decriminalisation or legalisation of drugs, in my journeys around the country I have gone to many treatment centres. I have engaged with the experiences of drug users. I asked them one question. These are mostly young men and I put the Deputy's question to them. I was absolutely surprised that the vast majority oppose any legalisation of cannabis, and they gave-----