Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

This is the background to the question. The Minister claims the drugs strategy is working, but that is not true. Every report, college-funded, independent or from the Government, shows an increase in use. Seizures last year reached €74 million. Assuming the figure in question represents 10% of use, one can see how much drug sales and use have increased. Even in the context of falling prices, one can see how lucrative it is. Cocaine seizures have risen by 500% since 1995. The Government may claim the rise is owing to the great job being done in seizing drugs, but we are still only hitting at the same rates.

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