Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am concerned about the lack of detox beds. There is no dedicated service in Cavan, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary north and Westmeath and something needs to be done. We have a problem because the HSE is cutting back. We need more treatment services because there is currently a lack of services. I need a commitment from the Minister of State that he will talk to the HSE because when the Dáil closes down on 10 July it will make more cutbacks. Something needs to be done. There is no point pretending we do not have a problem. We did that for too long. We have a serious drug problem and we need to tackle it. The previous national drugs strategy did not work and we need to implement the recommendations now to address the crisis that affects all sections of society. The Garda needs to target some high profile people and bring them to court to show young people that it is not trendy to take drugs.

See this speech in context