Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he has had discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform regarding the prevalence of crack cocaine here; his views on the danger this drug poses to communities, especially in urban areas; his further views on whether use of the drug, though relatively confined for the time being, can quickly spread; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10812/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with all those involved in disrupting the use of illegal drugs, not just the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The available figures come from the joint national advisory committee on drugs and the drug and alcohol information and research unit, Northern Ireland, drug prevalence survey. This study surveyed 8,442 people aged 15 to 64 in Ireland and Northern Ireland between October 2002 and April 2003.

The survey showed that the use of crack cocaine was very low at that time: 0.3% reported lifetime use, 0.1% reported use in the past 12 months and there were no positive respondents concerning last month use. It is intended that a second comprehensive drug prevalence study will be carried out from late 2006 to mid-2007. Preliminary analysis will be done in the months following that, with a first report of national prevalence figures and trends expected late in 2007.

I am confident that through the implementation of the actions in the national drugs strategy and the projects and initiatives operated through the local and regional drugs task forces, the problem of crack cocaine use can be addressed. Each of the drugs task forces has in place an action plan to tackle drug use in its area based on its own identified priorities. They continue to have ongoing contact with their local communities.

These projects deal with supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for a range of drugs, including crack cocaine. Most drug users engage in poly-drug use and, therefore, projects generally aim to address this pattern of usage rather than concentrating on one drug to the exclusion of others.

Over the past year or so, I have visited a number of drugs task force areas and discussed with community representatives and others the nature of the drug problem in their regions. I have also met senior members of the Garda Síochána who are involved in the drugs area. My meetings and discussions indicate that crack cocaine is not being used extensively in Ireland but is confined to small areas of the population.

Garda figures show that most of the recorded seizures of crack cocaine, particularly in the past two years, have been in the north central division of the Dublin metropolitan region. Garda drug units and community policing personnel are targeting this problem with a view to addressing it and stopping the spread of crack cocaine to a wider area.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

I fully accept that a potential danger exists that the use of crack cocaine could spread rapidly. Crack cocaine is a most damaging drug. Its use can cause fatalities in young, otherwise healthy people as a result of strokes, heart attacks and clots and damage to the heart muscle or lungs. It is also a highly addictive drug. Moreover, the Garda Síochána has informed me that the aggression associated with crack cocaine use could result in a rise in street crime and anti-social behaviour.

The potential damage of widespread crack cocaine use is startling. However, I assure the Deputy that I will continue to monitor the situation. In addition, I will ensure that all necessary steps are taken to address increased threats, should they arise.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply but one sentence in it gave me cause for concern. That was a reference to a study of one drug to the exclusion of others. On the last occasion we debated these matters, I tabled a Priority Question on crack cocaine. We went through the various issues pertaining to the use of crack cocaine, which make it a much more dangerous drug than any of the others we have dealt with heretofore. For instance, 80% of crack cocaine users become addicted within a fortnight of first smoking it. That is serious and represents a rapid growth in its use. In dealing with this particular drug we need a focused, hands-on approach, including monitoring and surveillance. No specific study has been carried out on the use of crack cocaine in the State.

The Minister of State also mentioned the new drug prevalence study which is to start this autumn and will continue until mid-2007. Is that sufficient, however, given that this drug has the potential to cause a serious escalation of drug-related illnesses and chaotic lifestyles? It also has the potential to cause an increase in all crime committed by cocaine addicts seeking to obtain funds for their next fix. As a crack cocaine trip lasts 40 to 50 seconds, it is well known that such addicts need to get frequent fixes. The Minister of State knows exactly what I am talking about. More focused monitoring is required to cope with the increasing use of crack cocaine which can be extremely damaging to society. As these developments can occur rapidly, a close eye needs to be kept on them.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. There is no doubt that crack cocaine is much more dangerous than any other illegal drugs. The potential damage of its widespread use is quite startling. When I was abroad last week, I took the opportunity to visit some drug awareness projects and discussed them with those concerned. The problems they have with crack cocaine are frightening and put other drug problems in the ha'penny place. There is no doubt that what the Deputy says is true but potential crack cocaine users are more likely to be existing drug addicts who are already in treatment. I sincerely hope they are less likely to be first-time drug users in the 15 to 20 year old bracket.

We try to combine treatments for many drugs to help people who already may be receiving rehabilitative treatment for cocaine or heroin. We have upskilled many staff so that they can spot and deal with various kinds of drug abuse. I agree with the Deputy that we need to be more careful, focused and aware because if crack cocaine abuse increases to a large extent we will be dealing with a problem that is totally different from anything we have yet seen. There is no substitution treatment, such as a methadone equivalent, for crack cocaine, however, so it is up to trained, vigilant staff, including counsellors who are already dealing with these people, to keep a close eye on the situation.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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I wish to inform the Minister of State that crack cocaine is in my area in Tallaght so there is a problem in that regard. I welcome the fact the Minister of State has visited other centres. There is a need to erect a firewall to stop the spread of this drug, which has the added danger of the violence that is associated with it. A number of pilot drug treatment schemes have been launched in Dublin, which are currently being assessed and evaluated. In my area, more than 100 people are attending one such programme but it is up for evaluation and we have been told it will close in April. A sum of €80,000 in funding was provided for this project for six months but it has been running for 14 months. I realise the Minister of State is seeking responses from the projects but is there a date for the conclusion of the evaluation process? The sooner it is concluded the better. One of the key areas we need to address involves the use of cocaine and crack cocaine.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have an update on the evaluations but I have heard favourable reports on the project to which the Deputy referred. I will check on the situation and will revert to the Deputy privately on it. One part of the national drugs strategy is that projects must be evaluated before they are mainstreamed and funding is allocated. I accept that the reports of that project are positive and it is being professionally evaluated.

The Customs and Excise service and the Garda Síochána have been targeting cocaine and crack cocaine dealers and have had much success in this regard. Garda statistics show that most recorded seizures of crack cocaine in the past couple of years have occurred in a confined part of the Dublin north central division. There is no substitution treatment for crack cocaine, however, and the best that can be done is the provision of counselling and behavioural therapy. One can only provide that, however, when people seek treatment or are observed to have that problem. While we are being vigilant, some responsibility must rest with the individual. Many likely users of crack cocaine are those who have previously had a drug problem and who have been stabilised and weaned off it. Some cases involve chaotic people. However, there is no doubt that crack cocaine is a serious matter and even people who believe they are experienced drug users or abusers must be very careful because, as Deputy O'Shea stated, one can become addicted to it quickly.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on whether the methadone programme is not a panacea in the fight to tackle drug addiction; and if so, the other measures which are being implemented or considered to combat heroin use. [10774/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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While I have responsibility for the implementation of the national drugs strategy, the licensing of drugs such as methadone to treat heroin addiction is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children. Objective reviews and evaluations have consistently shown that the prescription of methadone can lead to reduced heroin use, reduced criminal activity and reduced spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. It can stabilise an addict, allowing many to lead otherwise normal lives.

While methadone is not the only tool we have to combat heroin use, it has been an enormous aid in helping thousands of drug misusers to beat their addiction. More than 7,900 people receive methadone treatment. Encouragingly, estimates from the national advisory committee on drugs indicate that the number of heroin users has started to decrease in Dublin and has stabilised at low levels nationwide. The methadone maintenance programme has played a part in this decrease in numbers. The 2005 report of the steering group on the mid-term review of the national drugs strategy called for the expansion of methadone treatment.

An alternative to methadone, bupenorphrine, was licensed 18 months ago by the Irish Medicines Board for use in specialist settings. Clinical trials have shown that bupenorphrine can result in reductions in heroin use, increased retention in treatment and reduced craving. Compared with methadone, there is less sedation and more limited withdrawal symptoms. I understand the Department of Health and Children is in discussion with the Irish Medicines Board on the issue of prescription of bupenorphrine by general practitioners.

I established a rehabilitation working group to examine the provision of services for drug misusers, including those who abuse heroin, and to make recommendations for improvements. The report of the working group will be available in the coming months. Treatment and rehabilitation is just one aspect of this Government's approach to combating heroin use. Approximately 1,000 places are available for recovering drug misusers under the special FÁS community employment scheme.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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I asked this question because I am aware of the increase in the number of people on the methadone programme from 1,861 in 1997 to 8,962 in 2005 and that many people believe addicts are individuals and while methadone may work for one individual, it may not work for everyone. What is the alternative? Addicts seem to be pushed down the methadone route. However, many people believe that it replaces one class A drug with another. Statistics also suggest it is harder to give up methadone than heroin. Have we examined any alternatives? What supports are there for addicts who do not want to go down the methadone route? In any treatment centre, if a person is on heroin, the next step is to go on methadone. In many cases an addict who wants to reduce the quantity of methadone is not allowed to do so. We need alternatives. People are individuals and supports do not seem to be in place.

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy's comments are reasonable. I repeat the reply that the programme has been generally successful and has reduced crime. I accept it is not suitable for everyone and it is not a long-term solution to put people on methadone and expect it to last for the rest of their lives. I mentioned bupenorphrine, which is called subutex in other countries. A report also exists on naloxone. The Department of Health and Children is examining those other drugs and they may be prescribed for some people. Some of them have aspects which would be suitable for some and not for others.

As part of the mid-term review we generally accepted that putting people on methadone is not a long-term answer. That is why the working group on rehabilitation was established and why rehabilitation will get a higher status as the fifth pillar from now on. I accept the point made by Deputy Crowe that being put on methadone is a temporary solution and it should not continue for years.