Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am glad of the opportunity to say a few words on the drugs issue. The report is somewhat disappointing in that it is simply an outline of the work to be done. It is neither a plus nor a minus. The National Advisory Committee on Drugs has outlined an important programme of work and I wish it well in accomplishing that programme. It is good to know from this interim report what the committee has set out to do and is doing. The real meat of it will be when the committee completes the reports to which Senator White referred.

It is important to distinguish between the demand for drugs and their supply. The idea that we will ever solve the drugs problem by dealing with the supply line, by having more gardaí and customs officers at ports, is unrealistic. We have as much chance of stopping drug abuse through the supply area as we have of stopping the sale and use of fireworks. While fireworks are illegal they are still freely available and the same applies to drugs.

The drugs problem is about demand. Some very sensible matters are raised in the report. One issue is that school authorities should be supported in ensuring the inclusion of drugs programmes in every school. Fifteen years ago, the European Commission advised — it was not a directive — that every school in the European Union should have a teacher skilled in dealing with drug abuse issues. Looking around, there are certainly three teachers present in the Chamber as I speak. The Minister of State should be aware, however, that there is no point in telling schools to do such a thing. Thankfully, the vast majority of teachers would not know the difference between talcum powder and heroin. Long may that continue to be the case. The idea of dumping the solution to the drugs problem on teachers and schools is no way to approach this issue. Investment in training is required before the matter can be tackled in schools. I want to issue a caveat: it is grossly unfair to expect schools to do something about drugs unless somebody takes the time to train teachers out of school and make sure they are aware of the up-to-date situation.

The report we are debating refers to research on methadone treatment being done through the use of buprenorphine, which is a new development. The last time we discussed this issue, the Minister of State was filling in for another Minister, and it was all to do with methadone treatment. These are social issues but there is a lack of honesty in the way we deal with the drugs situation. Why are we not honest with young people, telling them that heroin does not kill instantly? It can be fatal and can destroy lives. Tobacco is every bit as addictive as heroin, although not as dangerous. In the long term, tobacco may have as bad an effect on a person's health, but not immediately.