Dáil debates

Tuesday, 5 November 2019

Illegal Drugs: Motion [Private Members]

 

8:40 pm

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleague for the opportunity to speak on this issue. Such is the extent of feeling on the issue, as my colleagues said, I and others are allowed only two minutes to speak. This is in every town and in every village. It is in my town and throughout every Member's constituency. After housing and health it is the most commonly raised issue at my clinics with regard to anti-social behaviour, the way it affects families and the devastation it causes in communities. As other speakers said, nine former Ministers of State highlighted from their perspective the lack of cohesive and penetrative type initiatives that can yield results, to the extent that they felt it necessary to come forward in the way they did.

In the last election, I was confronted for the first time on the doorsteps in my constituency by people who were looking for help and assistance with programmes to help with drug addiction. It is getting worse. My colleague, Deputy Cassells, spoke about the devastation in Drogheda and the east coast and the murder in Bettystown last night. I have seen this happening at close hand in my constituency, and I had never thought it would be the case. It is the case, however, and is the greatest issue and scourge facing us as representatives and facing those we represent, especially young kids. Students, for example, are looking for help from drugs to help them stay up at night to study. The issue is everywhere. It cannot be ignored. I recognise that the initiative by the nine previous Ministers of State may be the wake-up call we need and that this Government needs to bring about initiatives that can help and assist communities and families because, unfortunately, despite what we hear, this issue is not being addressed.

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