Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. There is no doubt that crack cocaine is much more dangerous than any other illegal drugs. The potential damage of its widespread use is quite startling. When I was abroad last week, I took the opportunity to visit some drug awareness projects and discussed them with those concerned. The problems they have with crack cocaine are frightening and put other drug problems in the ha'penny place. There is no doubt that what the Deputy says is true but potential crack cocaine users are more likely to be existing drug addicts who are already in treatment. I sincerely hope they are less likely to be first-time drug users in the 15 to 20 year old bracket.

We try to combine treatments for many drugs to help people who already may be receiving rehabilitative treatment for cocaine or heroin. We have upskilled many staff so that they can spot and deal with various kinds of drug abuse. I agree with the Deputy that we need to be more careful, focused and aware because if crack cocaine abuse increases to a large extent we will be dealing with a problem that is totally different from anything we have yet seen. There is no substitution treatment, such as a methadone equivalent, for crack cocaine, however, so it is up to trained, vigilant staff, including counsellors who are already dealing with these people, to keep a close eye on the situation.

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