Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

It is good news that we are finally to get a look at this wonderful document. Unfortunately, however, the drugs problem is worse that it has ever been. One only has to look at the events at the weekend in Dolphin House in my area where there was a major incident involving thugs running rampant, vandalising more than 30 cars with paint and acid and terrifying people. People at a public meeting the other evening had to be removed from the area because of the threat from a device left there. It is about time that this new strategy was put in place. There are major problems with drug abuse.

Will the Minister of State confirm that he will rename the national drugs strategy the national substance misuse strategy and give equal attention and importance to tackling alcohol abuse? Will the Minister of State explain how this strategy will be managed and if the national drugs strategy team will remain? Who will manage the funding allocated to task forces which are in place to help communities tackle the drugs problems on their doorsteps?

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