Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"confirms its support for Government policies to tackle drug misuse through its ongoing commitment to, and implementation of, the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 and the 100 individual actions contained in the strategy which are being implemented by a range of Departments and agencies."

I welcome the Minister of State. The national drugs strategy is tackling not only a national issue but a worldwide phenomenon of an increase in the supply and misuse of drugs of all kinds. Huge channels of supply have been opened up around the world, mainly from areas such as Afghanistan, Colombia and Far Eastern countries. There is also a never-ending number of people willing to supply drugs. The USA spends billions of dollars each trying to tackle the drugs problem. We have to continue to fight these trends. The strategy put in place in 2001 goes a long way towards tackling those issues. There are examples of successes to date, including the number of ecstasy seizures which have quadrupled in the last year from 250,000 tablets in 2002 to almost one million so far this year. Drugs are available throughout the country; it is not just a Dublin or an urban issue. The gardaí, in particular, have had great successes in recent times thanks to investment in and enhancement of the drugs squads. This is a security issue not only for this country but internationally.

I agree with Senator Terry regarding so-called gang-related killings. I would call the killings which have taken place recently drug-related killings. Co-operation between the gardaí and law enforcement agencies around the world is ongoing. Any worker in the area of drug treatment or any user of illegal drugs will say there will always be a market for drugs. Our objective and that of the strategy is to reduce those markets and to prevent new ones opening up.