Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

A report conducted by the HSE states that 42% of cocaine users did not think taking alcohol with cocaine was any more dangerous than using cocaine on its own. The report also found there was not total agreement among users on the dangers of addiction. Some 64% agreed slightly, while others disagreed cocaine was highly addictive. Some 41% of cocaine users were not concerned at all about the effect of the drug.

I have not seen signs of the campaign in my area. I have not seen posters or billboards up. How effective is the campaign and is it really hitting the target area? I am sure the local drugs task forces are doing excellent work, but are sports and community halls and schools being targeted with literature and advertising to try to protect our teenagers? We must look at alternative areas and highlight the dangers to young people as well as targeting addicts through the task forces.

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