Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

Last week we stated that over €200 million was spent on drugs and, on the streets, there is reason to believe it is not working. Whatever is happening to this money, it is not being spent on services. The tragic loss of the young man celebrating his 21st birthday brings home the lack of knowledge and understanding of the misuse of drugs, even on a once-off basis. People in my area have asked what impact the local task forces have and the manner in which the money is distributed to local task forces. How is there a lack of initiative from the local drugs task forces to deal with people on a one-to-one basis? Is it due to funding or are there not enough people employed in the services? Why are we dependent on voluntary groups, such as the Lions Club, to fund the travel of people such as the chief executive of Tacade in England to give in-service days to teachers in the Dublin area? Why is this not funded by the Government? I stress how important it is to seek the alcohol and drug awareness programme for students of senior cycle in school. It has not been set up and the Minister's reply last week suggested it would be some time before it is set up. We cannot wait any longer.

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