Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sinn Féin will be tabling an amendment to the motion. I commend Independents 4 Change on tabling this Private Members' motion. For many local communities, the drugs crisis has got progressively worse. Tragically, it does not seem to have the same priority on the political agenda as it once did. From the early 1980s until 1996, the State had effectively abdicated its responsibility towards communities in tackling it. Only in 1996 did it for the first time, under pressure from local communities, recognise that the drugs crisis was not just a criminal issue and that it had to put in place measures to tackle it. The foundations were laid for the establishment of the local drug task forces and national structures and the provision of core funding to tackle the drugs crisis. Significantly, it also led to the appointment of a dedicated Minister of State with responsibility for the national drug strategy.

I pay tribute to someone who was to the fore in working-class communities in tackling the drugs crisis and recently passed away. John 'Whacker' Humphrey was a tireless and courageous worker and an inspiration for many. People like him gave communities a sense of hope at a time of hopelessness and despair. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time.

Tackling the drugs crisis is not a priority for the Government, nor was it for previous Governments and communities are paying a heavy price as a result. Drugs task forces had their funding cut every year between 2008 and 2014 since when funding has been frozen without even consideration of the rate of inflation. Additionally, drug projects have had to tackle the alcohol crisis which was added to their remit without the provision of extra funding or resources. Funding needs to be reinstated to 2008 levels, with a comparative increase in funding to reflect the addition of the alcohol crisis. A sum of €250,000 goes nowhere near what is required. Community based drugs and alcohol projects need to be given the resources and proper funding they need to meet the complex challenges they face. Those who work in the projects should also expect to receive decent pay and conditions, but staff are expected to do more work and be more accountable for less money, which leads, in turn, to the loss of experienced personnel and projects, as well as a recruitment problem. Staff should have their pay restored. Those who are entitled to increments should also have them restored.

The drugs crisis continues, mainly in working-class communities, with 695 drug-related deaths in 2015. There was a 61% increase in the number of drug related deaths between 2004 and 2015, over three times higher than the numbers who died on the roads. Parents, children and entire communities are being terrorised and intimidated by those involved in the drug trade.

Drug related intimidation is a daily challenge for many and their families. According to a recent report from the CityWide Drugs Crisis Campaign, 74% of those who suffer from intimidation do not report incidents to the Garda, but 90% report such incidents to community groups or family members. In addition, 37% have experienced physical injuries, while 67% have reported mental health problems as a result of intimidation. Another worrying trend is that children are being groomed to be used as drug couriers. No one sector or agency can deal with the drugs issue. It requires an inter-agency approach.

Sinn Féin is calling for a dedicated Minister to be given responsibility for the national drugs strategy. He or she should have a dedicated ring-fenced budget equal to the budget which was available in 2008. Additional funding should be provided for this Minister for the alcohol part of his or her remit. The emerging needs fund and the young person's facilities and services fund should both be re-established because they would allow local drugs task forces to respond quickly and effectively to new challenges. The task forces must once again be responsible for drafting and implementing local strategies to combat the drugs crisis. They must be allowed to operate independently of the HSE and its bureaucracy. They must be supported by the State and Government agencies, including the HSE, the Garda and local authorities. Representatives of the community and voluntary sectors are crucial to the development of a drugs strategy. Their voices and opinions are vital in the fight against drugs. We need to reprioritise tackling the causes and consequences of the crisis. Funding must be reinstated. The local and national structures must be strengthened and made accountable. All of this must be supported by a dedicated Minister with responsibility for the drugs strategy.

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