Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I assume the Deputy is referring primarily to the tragic cocaine-related incident that occurred in Ballybeg in Waterford last week. I express my condolences to the family of Kevin Doyle on their great loss and send my good wishes to John Grey and his family. I hope he makes a full recovery. The details of the incident available to me are those reported in the media.

Since I became Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy earlier this year, I have repeatedly warned of the dangers of illegal drug use. In that regard, I have a particular focus on prevention and believe that if we can prevent people starting a drug habit, we can help prevent the heartache and pain, as well as the social and financial problems that arise as a result.

The challenge is to change attitudes among problem drug users and potential users and this is not an easy task. At national level, responsibility for a national drugs awareness campaign rests with the Health Services Executive in the first instance but my Department is involved in developing proposals through the advisory group established in that regard. The upcoming campaign will focus on cocaine. Its primary aim will be to communicate the dangers of cocaine use, with a particular focus on so-called "recreational cocaine users" in the 15-34 age group. It will utilise appropriate media, such as social network websites, to target this age group. Other proposals include the use of billboard and bus advertising and targeted radio advertising.

It will not be possible to get the national campaign up and running for the Christmas period, although the health promotion unit of the HSE hopes to post "banners" advising of the upcoming campaign on several prominent websites. However, the campaign will kick off early in the new year. Furthermore, I am sure the Garda will be particularly vigilant regarding the risks of drug use over the Christmas period.

Meanwhile, a significant level of information in regard to the dangers of illicit drug use is disseminated at local and regional drugs task force level through specific projects, drug awareness weeks and other initiatives funded by my Department. Also, the main aim of projects funded by my Department through the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund is to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse. In that context, it should be noted that under the fund, money is also being made available to five national youth organisations to disseminate drug prevention and awareness messages to young people.

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