Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for their contributions and their interest in this matter. Their remarks were, generally speaking, fair and reasonable and reflect the fact that the problems are difficult to solve. I welcome the supportive comments.

Senator Brian Hayes spoke of the need for politicians to be involved in local drugs task forces and I agree with him in that respect. Politicians are now represented on most drugs task forces, a trend that was set in my constituency. Although there was some mistrust between community groups and public representatives some years ago, the value of multi-agency groups, such as the drugs task force, is now recognised. It is important that politicians are members of such groups so they can become familiar with the issues and can contribute to debates in places such as this House. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes about the Cabinet sub-committee, which is good because it provides a forum for discussion. It receives regular quarterly feedback.

Many people are concerned about cocaine, a substance that was mentioned by Senator Brian Hayes. It is different from heroin in the sense that a substitute like methadone is not available. A number of Senators mentioned their concerns about methadone as a long-term solution, but at least it is available as a heroin substitute. The only substitute for cocaine, however, is abstinence. A cross-professional team of four or five counsellors who specialise in cocaine addiction has been established in the Northern Area Health Board's city clinic. Cocaine is a more difficult problem to deal with because a substitute such as methadone is not available. Counselling and education are the most important things when dealing with cocaine addiction. The specialist team has been in place in the city clinic for the past two or three months.

I agree with Senators who advocated ring-fencing the Criminal Assets Bureau's receipts – they are pushing an open door when making such a point to me. I would be keen for funds from the CAB to be spent in communities that have been affected by drugs. However, it is difficult to convince the Minister for Finance and others to ring-fence such funds.