Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

The war against drugs will only be won if families can be linked into tackling societal problems regarding drug barons etc. I fully support Deputy Ring's comments that initiatives such as this must be directed towards primary and secondary school pupils and developed subsequently through the children's parents. What will be done in this regard? Moreover, during Question Time and in committee meetings on previous occasions, I raised with the Minister of State the use of national sport and recreation organisations. In tandem with parents, such organisations should be used to demonstrate alternatives, to show the enjoyment people can derive from activities that are not associated with drugs and that another world is there for young people that is highly entertaining and enjoyable. The Minister should try to ascertain how young people can be directed towards such activities because repeatedly hitting them with a constant barrage in this regard simply becomes repetitive and does not provide the involvement that people seek.

I recall holding a meeting in Athy on drug misuse that parents simply did not wish to attend. They did not want it known that they had attended such a meeting. People have fears in this regard and members of the Garda have confirmed this to me. They stated that people are wary of attending such meetings because were they to be seen, people might think that someone belonging to them was involved with drugs. The Minister of State should indicate ways in which he can use the more than 1,000 recreational associations in Ireland to provide alternatives to young people, involving families, which will make the difference.

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