Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 126: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the cocaine awareness campaign announced by him earlier in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33496/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy will be aware, the national drugs public awareness campaign, led by the HSE, was launched by my predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, in February last. The campaign focused on cocaine and young people, highlighting not only the dangers for the individuals who use the drug, but also the damage caused by cocaine related activity in society, activity that is often disproportionately felt in disadvantaged areas. Apart from raising awareness and providing information, the campaign aimed to get individuals to challenge and change their own attitudes and behaviour and to dispel the myths surrounding drug misuse.

In research conducted by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, which advises the Government on problem drug use in Ireland, it was found that information campaigns of this nature achieve best results if they are sustained for a period of time and if they have a national and a local dimension. For this reason, the intention is to continue the campaign for some time and to initiate more local awareness campaigns to dovetail with the message and design of the national campaign run by the HSE.

In this regard, I have provided funding of €500,000 to the local and regional drugs task forces to run their own locally based campaigns which will highlight the issues raised in the national campaign but focus on issues relating to cocaine use in their own areas. The task forces are currently working on their individual campaigns and some are working on joint proposals. Some of the ideas coming forward include cinema and billboard advertising. It is hoped that all task forces will have their campaigns up and running before the end of the year.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With regard to the common helpline that was initiated at the time, is there any information on the geographical breakdown of the 10,000 hits on that line? Is there a breakdown of the callers? Were they users, parents, teachers or community activists? Can the Minister of State flesh out for us the interest people have in contacting the HSE in this regard.

Some time ago the death of a person following the use of drugs was very much in the news. At the time, many people considered the death was related to the use of alcohol with cocaine and co-ethylene. This drug mix was highlighted as a toxic development when used with alcohol. Has any further information been brought forward with regard to this or to the helpline?

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not have information with regard to the breakdown of the numbers calling the helpline. That information is with the HSE. With regard to what we refer to as poly drug use, be it alcohol or other drugs, one of the findings from research done after the campaign was there was greater awareness among cocaine users of the heightened risk involved when using other drugs while using cocaine.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A report conducted by the HSE states that 42% of cocaine users did not think taking alcohol with cocaine was any more dangerous than using cocaine on its own. The report also found there was not total agreement among users on the dangers of addiction. Some 64% agreed slightly, while others disagreed cocaine was highly addictive. Some 41% of cocaine users were not concerned at all about the effect of the drug.

I have not seen signs of the campaign in my area. I have not seen posters or billboards up. How effective is the campaign and is it really hitting the target area? I am sure the local drugs task forces are doing excellent work, but are sports and community halls and schools being targeted with literature and advertising to try to protect our teenagers? We must look at alternative areas and highlight the dangers to young people as well as targeting addicts through the task forces.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I acknowledge the figures the Deputy mentioned, but if we look at the figures for both prior to and after the campaign, we see some significant changes with regard to people's perspective. The figures changed during that period. I agree with the Deputy that a one-off campaign is not sufficient. The HSE campaign was public and we are now conducting the local campaign. However, if we are to conduct campaigns in the future, they will need to be closely aligned and monitored. I am probably leaving myself open to criticism when I say the local campaign we are currently conducting should have been planned within a closer timeframe. In respect of advertising, the Road Safety Authority has fostered a shift of minds through its continual promotion of issues. Particularly with regard to the new national drugs strategy, this area deserves closer attention because we need to maintain momentum.