James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Brian Hayes's call for a debate on suicide. I also seek a debate on the ever-increasing levels of heroin use in every part of the country. Heroin use is now occurring in villages and smaller towns where it was unheard of ten years ago. We need more localised services to deal with the drug problem throughout rural Ireland. Services are mostly located in the large urban centres.

There is also an urgent need for counselling for the parents of addicts as well as for the education of young people in the schools. The problem must be taken more seriously and more needs to be done with regard to the abuse of drugs. A strategy is required that covers prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. We must get tougher on the drug dealers. They are moving around the countryside like evil thieves in the night. They are destroying the lives of many of our young people and this is an issue that requires swift action.