Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 81: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if, in the context of developing the new national drugs strategy he or his Department's officials have consulted with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union on the matter of the production of crystal meths; and if he has engaged with the Minister for Health and Children or the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to explore the possibility of introducing legal restrictions on the sale of its principal ingredient. [40997/08]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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While my officials consulted with the Irish Pharmaceutical Union during the comprehensive consultation process that was undertaken earlier in the year on the development of a new national drugs strategy, the issue of the production of crystal meths was not raised in that context. Nor have I engaged with the Ministers for Health and Children or Justice Equality and Law Reform to explore the possibility of introducing legal restrictions on the sale of its principal ingredients, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, and I currently have no plans in that regard. As the Deputy may be aware, these substances are used legally in the production of a range of products, including cold remedies and dietary supplements.

The danger of drug precursors — legal substances which can be used in combination to manufacture illicit drugs — is monitored under UN international controls. Ireland is a party to the 1988 United Nations convention against illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances which lays down requirements with respect to the monitoring of the licit use of precursors. This allows the International Narcotics Control Board, INCB, in tandem with the countries involved, to monitor the illicit use of these substances. With respect to the illicit manufacture and abuse of methamphetamine in Europe, the 2007 INCB report indicates that this is only a problem in a limited number of countries in western and central Europe, mainly in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and parts of Germany.

Meanwhile, the draft EU drugs action plan 2009-12, which is nearing finalisation, includes a number of actions focusing on the diversion and trafficking in, or via Europe, of drug precursors used in the manufacture of illicit drugs. These proposals are being supported by Ireland, whose contribution to the process is being co-ordinated by my Department.

The new drugs strategy will include measures to deal with issues arising from the use of any illicit drug, including crystal meths. The issue of the control of drug precursors has been discussed in that regard and it is likely to feature under an action under the new strategy. Overall, the emphasis in the strategy will be on ensuring that there is an ongoing comprehensive response to drug-related problems, rather than on drug-specific measures per se.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Does the Minister of State agree that prevention is better than cure in this instance and does he agree that crystal meths is gaining a foothold in Europe? Is he aware the UN office on drugs and crime has said the sudden growth of the drug in the United States and its expansion from being a regional to a national problem there could be replicated in Europe? Is he aware that the number of European countries reporting seizures has more than doubled, from 11 in 2000 to 25 in 2005? Is he aware crystal meths is available in some of Ireland's cities and towns, that there have been consistent seizures of the drug since 2004 and that while the quantities seized have been small, they have been increasing? In July 2008 six kilos of the drug were seized in County Offaly.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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On the seizures, the Garda would say that currently crystal meths is not a major feature of the Irish drug market. There were two seizures, the one the Deputy mentioned in the midlands, which was considered a major seizure, and a second seizure in the south of the country. Crystal meths must be dealt with as one of the illegal substances with which we deal. There will be an action, under the new national drugs strategy, to deal with the issue of precursors.

It is important that the actions we take to try to deal with the situation are taken on a European wide basis, rather than having a different strategy here to what the rest of Europe might have. The 2009-12 EU drugs action plan will be supported by this country so that we have a co-ordinated, rather than an individual, response.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Has the Minister of State any information on the effects of crystal meths? Has it any side effects if used in a mixture or with other substances, such as those we see with cocaine and alcohol, which produces cocaethylene which can cause heart failure? What is the history in that regard? Are the dangers of crystal meths in the general arena? Geographically, is it in the main cities in Ireland that cases have been detected?

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Experts say that crystal meths is one of the most addictive street drugs and one of the hardest to treat. Therefore, it is a serious concern. As Deputy Ó Snodaigh said, it is regarded in the US as one of the more common hard core drugs. With regard to its effects, it is seen as a euphoric sex and dance culture drug, but has significant adverse consequences. It can lead to paranoia, kidney failure, violence, internal bleeding and less inhibited sexual behaviour. There are also risks attached to injecting and so forth. While a number of cases have come forward for treatment here, and there is anecdotal evidence of some cases, the use of drug is still low and hopefully will remain low. There have only been two significant seizures, one in the south and the six kilos in the midlands. There are many more drugs that are far more prevalent here and crystal meths is only showing on the horizon. However, the side effects are very serious and the treatment is very difficult and problematic.