Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Research was one of the original four pillars of the strategy and rehabilitation is now the fifth. Research is very important and the NACD is undertaking many good projects in this respect. While such research projects are mainly national, it has also funded some local ones. The strategy ends next year and there will be a consultation phase, either late this year or early next year, on a new strategy. That will provide all of us with an opportunity to tweak it or change it fundamentally, as necessary. It is difficult to know why certain people use certain drugs, but it may be due to supply and the fact that there is plenty of money around. The country's demographics, including its age profile, have changed hugely. Ireland is booming in many ways. There are many young people with a great deal of money and, I suppose, there is a desire to experiment. The NACD has done much good work. Our job is to try to get across to people the fact that even cannabis, which might not be as dangerous as other drugs, can have negative mental effects on a significant number of people. Much depends on how often one uses the drug and at what age but it is difficult to get that knowledge across to people. We have the research and are continually running awareness campaigns. In recent years, school SPHE classes have run modules on drugs, which try to get through to young people the damage they may be causing to themselves. Many of them already know it. According to one survey, university students who dabbled with drugs in November, December or January desisted when their examinations approached in April or May. They are aware that drug use does not do their memorising capacity any good, although they may flirt with it. It is wrong to give the impression "One puff and you're hooked for life". That is not true because most people can experiment and walk away from it. Sadly, however, a significant cohort does become trapped in drug abuse. They are the ones to whom the policy is geared.

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