Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yesterday we had a report from the Health Research Board regarding the amount of drugs used in this country. There has been a 700% increase in cocaine users and the number of new heroin cases outside Dublin has doubled between 2001 and 2006. There has been a jump of 690% in cocaine users. The HSE issued this report but, on the other hand, it is not providing detox beds. It tells us we need 365 extra beds but at the same time it is cancelling the opening of new clinics. What is going on with the national drugs strategy? What will the Minister do if the HSE will not provide the necessary beds? In rural Ireland there are no detox beds for people with serious alcoholic problems. What will the Minister do if the HSE will not do the job it is empowered to do? We cannot have a major drug problem, with people needing detox and beds, and the HSE not having the will to provide beds. What will the Minister and the Government do?

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