Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister of State. I grew up in an area plagued by drugs. People ask questions, including whether the local drugs task forces are making an impact. I was informed by three different local drugs task forces last week that one of the biggest problems they face is that of young people taking ordinary pills. This is a major problem in every community, even that which I represent, and I am concerned about it. I accept that money is being channelled into the projects but I must question whether what is happening on the ground is sufficient. It is obviously not sufficient because, if it were, young people of ten or 12 years of age would not be taking pills of all sorts. They can get some of these in the medicine chests in their own homes.

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