Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I do not have an update on the evaluations but I have heard favourable reports on the project to which the Deputy referred. I will check on the situation and will revert to the Deputy privately on it. One part of the national drugs strategy is that projects must be evaluated before they are mainstreamed and funding is allocated. I accept that the reports of that project are positive and it is being professionally evaluated.

The Customs and Excise service and the Garda Síochána have been targeting cocaine and crack cocaine dealers and have had much success in this regard. Garda statistics show that most recorded seizures of crack cocaine in the past couple of years have occurred in a confined part of the Dublin north central division. There is no substitution treatment for crack cocaine, however, and the best that can be done is the provision of counselling and behavioural therapy. One can only provide that, however, when people seek treatment or are observed to have that problem. While we are being vigilant, some responsibility must rest with the individual. Many likely users of crack cocaine are those who have previously had a drug problem and who have been stabilised and weaned off it. Some cases involve chaotic people. However, there is no doubt that crack cocaine is a serious matter and even people who believe they are experienced drug users or abusers must be very careful because, as Deputy O'Shea stated, one can become addicted to it quickly.

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