Cyprian Brady (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Kenneally for sharing time and welcome the opportunity to speak briefly on this important and timely debate. The abuse of drugs continues to be one of the most pressing social problems faced by Ireland. The 2007 report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime states that the total number of drug users in the world is estimated to be 200 million people, which is equivalent to approximately 5% of the global population aged between 15 and 64. This is a global phenomenon and Ireland must continue to make it a top priority and to maintain its focus in this regard.

I have been making the point for a long time that we must begin to think outside the box regarding drug prevention and treatment. In that context, I visited the European Parliament earlier this year and met senior officials who were responsible for policing and drug control. Their analysis of the worldwide problem of drug trafficking was not encouraging. It is universally accepted that 2006 was a record year for the growth of the poppy plant in countries such as Afghanistan. It is also accepted that two or three years can elapse from the harvesting of the poppy plant to its appearance on the streets of cities such as Dublin as it finds its way across Asia and Europe. Effectively this suggests that soon, we again will be faced with an influx of cheap heroin. Obviously this will lead to serious problems for Ireland against which we must protect ourselves.

I have witnessed at first hand the fantastic and amazing work that is being done on the ground by individuals and small groups. I will take this opportunity to mention one of those individuals. I refer to a young Salesian, Father Joe Lucey, who passed away suddenly earlier this week. The enormous crowd that turned up to Seán McDermott Street church yesterday was a testament to the work Father Joe had done in the north inner city over the years. He had been working away quietly and no one had ever heard of him or had read about him in the newspapers. Nevertheless, he touched a great many lives in the north inner city. I refer in particular to young people who were highly dependent on drugs.

However, one must continue. Deputy Rabbitte's contribution to the establishment of the task forces was mentioned earlier. In the early 1980s, the communities took to the streets and demanded action from both the Government and the statutory agencies. Much progress has been made under the drug strategy as it was put in place. While a review was carried out in March 2005, different aspects of the strategy must be considered. For instance, the effectiveness of the methadone protocol should be examined. The general consensus regarding methadone is that it only suits some people. An issue also arises in respect of its long-term use and consequential health effects as some addicts are approaching their 20th year on methadone. While some groups are of the opinion that the only effective treatment for drug addiction is a completely drug-free approach, I believe there is room for both methods.

Drug supply reduction and drug law enforcement are two key features of the Government's strategy at present and the national drugs unit, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau have all played a pivotal role. I have witnessed such co-operation at the local community policing forum in the north inner city. The community has co-operated closely, with the result that the drugs squads have made significant seizures and arrests and the people consider that the information they are passing on is having an effect. This is working to a greater degree. I was delighted to hear the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Brian Lenihan, mention recently that drug dealing at any level is unacceptable and that both small and large scale dealers will be pursued. This was mentioned in the policing plan for 2008.

This issue faces everyone and one sees it day in and day out, whether one is a parent of young children or through involvement in local communities. I refer to the potential devastation the misuse of drugs can have on individuals, their families and communities. I commend the Minister of State with responsibility for this issue, of which he has a good grasp given his background and the years of work he has put into his own locality. He has a great knowledge of the problems caused by drug misuse and undoubtedly he will be extremely successful in bringing on the strategy in future.

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