Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to consider holding a debate on the association between drug abuse and mental health. A debate on drug abuse was held here recently and I believe a crossover exists in many cases involving people with psychiatric problems. A gap occurs in how the issue is dealt with whereby people who have made an effort to recover find themselves in a vulnerable situation on coming back into the community. This is evident in the sheltered housing available through psychiatric services and the manner in which former drug users are preyed upon by drug dealers to fall into their old habits. This causes particular anxiety to the families of people trying to work their way through very difficult problems.

A more joined up approach is required on drug strategy from the Health Service Executive and the psychiatric services area of the Department of Health and Children. It would be useful if the person with responsibility in this area, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, could continue on from the debate on drug abuse.