Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

Problem drug use remains one of the key challenges facing Irish society. However, through the implementation of the actions in the national drugs strategy in the first instance and, second, the projects and initiatives operated through the local and regional drugs task forces, problem drug use in our society is being addressed and the hardship caused to individuals and society is being alleviated.

With respect to treatment, it is important to note that more than 8,200 heroin users are now in receipt of methadone. This represents an increase of 66% on the 4,936 recorded on the central methadone treatment list in December2000.

The research outcome study in Ireland, ROSIE, commissioned by the national advisory Committee on drugs, NACD, found that the overall treatment of heroin users is very effective with the key achievements being significant reductions in heroin and other drug use; 27% abstinent from all drugs after one year; extensive reductions in drug injecting; improvements in physical and mental health; extensive reductions in criminal activity; and increased contact with health and social care services. The substantially increased funding being provided by my Department illustrates the serious drive by the Government to alleviate the problem. I recently announced a 16% increase in funding to tackle drug misuse in 2007, which follows on the increases over the preceding two years. There has been an 87% increase since 2004 and therefore the figures for the past three years are 18%, 37% and 16%.

The increased funding this year is facilitating a doubling of the amount available for the roll-out of the action plans of the regional drugs task forces, the implementation of the 67 projects under the emerging needs fund in the local drugs task force areas and the implementation of initiatives under the young people's facilities and services fund and local drugs task force projects.

Over 440 projects are supported by the local drugs task forces; 470 facilities and services projects are being delivered through the young people's facilities and services fund, including the employment of 188 youth and outreach workers and over 20 sports development officers. The driving objective of the fund is to target and look after at-risk young people, offer them alternatives to getting involved in drugs and to try to keep them on the straight and narrow and away from the dangers of drugs. Through the fund, young people are offered access to positive pursuits, including sports and other recreational activities, that increase the potential for healthy lifestyles.

Investment in the fund has increased substantially in recent years. Some of the largest projects include the Cabra Parkside centre; Ballywaltrim Community Centre in Bray; St. Catherine's Community Sports Centre in Marrowbone Lane; St. Teresa's Hall, Donore Avenue; and Donnycarney Youth and Community Centre.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

In total, nearly 650 people are employed in drug-related initiatives funded by my Department. It is worth noting that the €50 million in my Department's Vote is only part of an overall allocation of well over €200 million provided by the Government across a number of Departments to tackle the drugs problem this year. It is also worth noting that last year I launched a report entitled A Community Drugs Study — Developing Community Drugs Indicators, which was produced by the NACD and which examined the experiences and perceptions of three communities — 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 regard to the school leaving age, reductions in some types of crime, the expansion of drug treatment services and improved employment opportunities over the period researched. The study also demonstrated clearly the merits of the approach underpinned by the national drugs strategy, stressing in particular the level of community involvement through drugs task forces.

Substantial progress is being made on the implementation of all aspects of the national drugs strategy and the increased funding is allowing us to build on the successes to date. Furthermore, the future implementation of the recommendations of the report of the working group on drugs rehabilitation, which will be launched in the next few weeks, will represent another big step forward. I am also expecting to receive shortly a recommendation from the National Drugs Strategy Team for an increased role for the Family Support Network, which was called for in the mid-term review of the strategy.

Overall, great efforts are being made from the ground up to tackle the ongoing problem of drug misuse in an ever-evolving global situation. While I acknowledge that much remains to be done to continue to tackle the problem, as is the case in all developed countries, I believe significant success has been achieved in reducing the hardship caused to individuals, families, communities and society at large.

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