Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate because drugs are having a serious effect on society and are being increasingly used. They are available in every town and village. Members have referred to drugs being used in this House so we have not escaped their influence either.

I recently heard a reformed addict on radio say that he could source drugs within ten to 15 minutes in any town. That is a frightening message. Previous speakers have mentioned several problems. The prices of illegal and legal drugs, such as alcohol, are levelling off making it more attractive for people to use drugs. There was a time when cocaine was for the wealthy only. Now school kids can afford this drug which, like all drugs, is sold without any health warning.

I am concerned about the role of the media as an opinion maker. I suppose every newspaper is respectable but I recently read an article in a Sunday newspaper which stated that:

After five or six pints of beer you are far more out of it, aggressive or dangerous to other people than after a joint or a couple of lines of coke. Yet alcohol is legal. The advice seems to be to go for drugs instead of drink. This is a very dangerous message. The article further states that even with a hangover and the come-down, the thrill of the night before is worth it to the weekend cocaine dabbler. There is no reference to the word "addict" and the use of the word "dabbler" is almost an endorsement of use as an acceptable weekend activity. Warnings about misuse of drugs and the threat of the law do not seem relevant. The writer of the article questions whether it is really so terrible and whether they are really doing any harm to themselves. This article sends out very dangerous signals. I wondered when I read this article whether I was out of touch. I take a few pints but I certainly do not take cocaine and I am not responsible for cocaine being found in the toilets in this building. This article gives a signal that it is all right to use drugs.

Persons caught using a line of cocaine should be offered whistleblower's rights. They should be offered the option of pointing the finger at the supplier. They should be exonerated.

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