Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

This will be a continuation of the reply to Priority Question No. 39 which I did not finish. I listed a number of major capital projects completed under the young people's facilities and services fund in Cabra, Ballywaltrim in Bray, St. Catherine's Community Sports Centre on Marrowbone Lane, St. Teresa's Hall on Donore Avenue and Donnycarney. In total, approximately 650 people are employed in drug-related initiatives funded by the Department. The €50 million in the Department's Vote is only part of the overall allocation of approximately €200 million provided by the Government across a number of Departments to tackle the drugs problem.

In response to a supplementary question, I mentioned the report entitled A Community Drugs Study — Developing Community Drugs Indicators, which was produced by the NACD. It examined the experiences and perceptions of three communities which experienced drug problems, namely, Ballymun, Bray and Crumlin, with respect to drug use and associated issues. While problems persist in the communities relating to drugs, drink, anti-social behaviour and crime, the study noted significant improvements in a number of areas, including reductions in some types of crime, the expansion of drug treatment services and improved employment opportunities. The study also clearly demonstrated the merits of the approach underpinned by the national drugs strategy, in particular the level of community involvement through drugs task forces.

The future implementation of the recommendations of the report of the working group on drug rehabilitation, which will be launched in the coming weeks, will represent another step forward. I expect to receive shortly a recommendation from the national drugs strategy team for an increased role for the family support network, which was called for and recommended in the mid-term review. Major efforts are being made to tackle the various problems of drug misuse. I acknowledge more remains to be done but we are tackling the problem and having significant successes in a range of targets.

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