Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Tá mé fíor bhuíoch díot, a Cheann Comhairle, as seans a thabhairt dom labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. Beidh mé ag caint faoi dhruganna agus daoine bochta atá faoi bhrú ag druganna.

Several weeks ago, Councillor Paddy McQuillan and I visited the Louth community drug and alcohol team in Drogheda. We met the staff, members of the north-east regional drugs task force and a group of addicts who are on methadone to control their heroin addiction. I was impressed by the commitment and professionalism of the staff who provide a first class service with limited resources and who are struggling to meet the needs of a growing number of drug and alcohol addicts. I commend and thank them for their work.

Drug and alcohol misuse has taken up to eight lives in the Drogheda area in recent years. The former heroin users whom I met were young men and one young woman. They were honest about the dreadful impact the drug has had on them and their families and the connection between heroin and drug addiction and crime. One former user described the experience as being like groundhog day, chasing the money, chasing the dealers and chasing the drug. When that cycle is complete, they begin the process all over again.

The drug and alcohol team in Drogheda has only been in place since last April. I have no doubt from my conversation with the former heroin users that the centre has been a lifeline for them. The project consists of one co-ordinator, one project worker, one community employment support staff member and one counsellor who provides six sessions a week. According to statistics for 2010 from the Health Research Board, 76 individuals presented for treatment at the centre. Of these 60% suffered heroin addiction, 28% had issues with alcohol, 17% with cannabis and 7% with cocaine. Some 71% of the above have been identified as early school leavers and 60% use more than one drug. Some 33% are injecting drug users and 8% began injecting under the age of 19 years.

There are obviously policing and other issues around the availability of illegal drugs. These statistics only scratch the surface of the problem. We will return to that another day. The reality is that many individuals who initially presented with one problem actually have more than one. Some are addicted to up to four substances. Those with whom I spoke told of many more users in the area who have not sought help.

The Louth community drug and alcohol team work hard to provide a service which helps those affected by drug and alcohol misuse. The biggest gap in current services lies in the absence of a second level 2 methadone prescribing general practitioner. There is only one methadone prescribing general practitioner and, consequently, the waiting list for methadone treatment in Louth stands at 18 months compared with ten days in Dublin, which discourages individuals going on the list. Even if an addict manages to get on the list, he or she is expected - this is the way the system works - to maintain his or her drug using lifestyle to qualify for treatment. This means that the current system is encouraging ongoing heartache, illness, further family breakdown, crime and, in some cases, overdose which can lead to death or suicide.

I urge the Minister to appoint a second level 2 methadone prescribing general practitioner quickly. This would have an immediate and beneficial affect on the management of heroin treatment in Louth. The community drug and alcohol team also needs a dedicated project worker who can provide the essential family support that is part of dealing with drug misuse in the community. The problem of heroin misuse is severe and requires urgent attention and additional financial support. I urge the Minister to take these simple measures and enhance the work of a dedicated group of professional health workers who are making a significant contribution to society and to assist those recovering addicts who are confronting their problems and need help to put them behind them.

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