James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I have acknowledged the number of deaths and that it is of great concern to us. I am underscoring the accuracy of our figures as we take them from four different sources whereas as other jurisdictions only use one, the general mortality register. I mentioned that the information is from 2006-07. There has been a reduction of €74,000 to community drugs projects supported by the HSE in the Dublin and mid-Leinster region arising form the implementation of cost-saving measures across hospitals and community services. No such reductions are envisaged in the other HSE regions and no reduction is being made in the funding provided through the Department of Health in the current year.

The Government is committed to dealing with the scourge of drugs in our community. I have highlighted how the legislation on head shops has been updated to make a further list of psychoactive substances illegal and how successful the legislation has been in reducing the number of head shops. I assure the House from the notes handed to me that no psychoactive substances are available in those that are open.

Of course, the war on drugs will continue, with the involvement of law-enforcement and customs officers. We will endeavour to have more effective treatments. I am not happy with the numbers of people who come off methadone and I am reviewing that situation. I certainly want it reflected in any new contracts given to doctors who are treating people currently on methadone.

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