Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I welcome to the House the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Carey, to discuss this important matter.

The issue of the misuse of illegal drugs was once confined to fiction novels or to small areas of social deprivation of our inner cities but the drugs climate has changed significantly in the past 15 years. Today the issue of illegal drug use, drug trade and drug warfare affects not only every city but every townland and village in our country and has serious and long-lasting repercussions for the innocent and not-so-innocent as we have seen in the tragic deaths of innocent victims in the past two years.

Ar an gcead dul síos ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil don Aire as ucht teacht isteach agus an ráiteas seo a thabhairt dúinn inniu. Tá sé práinneach anois dúinn dul i ngleic leis an bhfadhb seo atá ag cur isteach ar ghach baile, sráidbhaile is cathair sa tír.

From talking to people who attended a conference held in Killarney last week, I am aware of the Minister of State's deep-rooted interest in this matter, on which I commend him. I appreciate his coming to the House to discuss it. Having talked to people in my constituency, they are appreciative of his efforts in this regard.

Like many issues of national importance, this debate should not be about trying to score political points or gaining political advantage on criminal activity that wreaks havoc on thousands of lives across the county. The crisis that faces the Garda, parents, those addicted to illegal drugs and us as legislators demands a strong unified response, a debate that is focused on identifying the factors associated with high drug usage and creative, innovative and practical strategies that will enable us to gain control over a situation that has unfortunately begun to spiral out of control.

The Central Statistics Office figures published this week show that drug use and the number of people in possession of drugs has increased by 958 and 762, respectively. It behoves Members on both sides of the House to work together with local communities and relevant stakeholders to gain control of this crisis.

Perhaps the model of investigation favoured by the scientific community of scientist practitioners could serve us well in this debate. We must be forensic in our questioning, reasoned in our hypotheses and confident that our methods of intervention are effective and will work. It is not enough to intervene blindly. We must do so based on a thorough understanding of the reasons for the current situation.

Bearing this in mind, we must ask relevant and pertinent questions. What are the changes in society that have seen an increase in the number of people beginning to experiment with illegal drugs and continue into long-term use? What is the process of transition through the so-called gateways to more serious and addictive forms of drug use? Why have current educational and public health preventative strategies failed in light of the prevalence of drug use among young people? What deficit exists with respect to the deployment and resourcing of State agencies responsible for the control of this illegal activity — the Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and Customs and Excise? Why has the price of a human life become so devalued and cheap that so-called drug barons think little of shooting dead innocent bystanders or fellow drug criminals? There should be no condoning the notion of a cheap life. Why is there a public disconnect between recreational drug use and criminal activity? What is actually required to enable a person to successfully become free of the dependence of drugs?

These are some of the questions we must answer if we are serious about trying realistically to address the crisis that is the use of illegal drugs. The task should not fall on the shoulders of the Minister of State. Rather, there is a need for a multivariate response across a range of Departments, including Education and Science, Health and Children, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Social and Family Affairs, and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The Minister of State referred to the withdrawal of methadone supplies from pharmacies, which poses a serious and frightening threat to former drug users on methadone programmes and highlights the urgent need to address the wider drug issue and to push for immediate action in implementing the national drugs strategy. The severe stress and anxiety experienced this week by patients on the methadone programme and their families is unacceptable and demonstrates the fact that 3,000 of the country's most vulnerable people are suffering owing to the Government's hands-off approach to the health service.

The Fine Gael parliamentary party met the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, IPU, last week. I call on the IPU to suspend its action. I also call on the Minister and the Health Service Executive to enter talks and stop shadow boxing.

There are many positives in the national drugs strategy. It has a clear focus, inter-agency partnership is working, the voice of the voluntary sector is being heard, family services are developing and a platform for funding is available. Some 100 actions which, if carried out and completed in their entirety, would be a significant and effective response to the drug problem have been highlighted.

The Minister of State referred to cocaine, considered by many to be a recreational drug of choice and the cause of untold hardship and misery across the country. Young adults in particular are struggling under the weight of use of this drug. It has been identified by international medical and psychological research to be associated with negative life outcomes for those who use it on a sustained basis. It affects simple processing of information, attention and concentration, and the social and emotional ability of those who use it, not to mention the significant financial burden of trying to meet the cost that use creates. This, in effect, introduces the person into the vicious cycle of crime to fund drug use.

We have a major problem with the sale and use of illicit drugs, particularly cocaine. Data from the Garda Síochána and Customs and Excise show an increase in the number of cocaine seizures. Recently the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime issued a report showing Ireland as the country with the highest increase in cocaine consumption with rates higher than any other developed country. The number of cocaine related offences recorded by the Garda Síochána has increased fourfold from 297 to 1,224. Cocaine seizures have increased significantly in 2006. There is evidence of a growing cocaine problem in Ireland and in Europe where consumption is increasing and reaching alarming levels.

There is no adequate treatment service to deal with cocaine addiction. Treatment programmes in Ireland were designed to deal primarily with an opiate using client group, not stimulant users. An additional problem is the fact that polydrug use is now common among drug users. Many problem heroin users also use cocaine and alcohol use is prevalent across the board. We must take a holistic approach to battling addiction. There is no point giving a drug addict treatment specific to one drug when the addict uses many different drugs.

The National Advisory Committee on Drugs, NACD, report recommends a reorientation of drug services from drug specific intervention to treatment tailored towards the individual regardless of the drugs used. This approach will provide options for the drug user appropriate to his needs and circumstances and should assist in reintegration into society.

A strong message must be sent to those who think cocaine is a clean drug. Yesterday, a tabloid newspaper carried an opinion poll from an influential woman's magazine revealing that one out of six women claim they stay slim by taking speed or cocaine. This is part of the folklore and myth surrounding the use of cocaine. The Minister of State must consider a strong advertising campaign similar to the road safety campaigns, for which he would find support on this side of the House. It is time to shock and educate young people on the use of drugs and specifically cocaine, which is not a harmless recreational drug, results in negative life outcomes and has been linked to relationship difficulties, work stress and the development of mental health difficulties.

Not long ago a major shipment was retrieved off the south coast in west Cork. The discovery owed more to a freak of nature than it did to investigation. We must be honest with ourselves and admit that we do not know the quantity of drugs imported to Ireland daily or annually. How many shipments arrive weekly without being intercepted? Following recent drugs finds in coastal areas, there must be a co-ordinated and integrated response to tackling the drugs problem. The Minister of State referred to the need to further develop links and working partnerships with our international partners. It might be necessary to look at strengthening extradition treaties further or developing new ones. As a single nation we cannot hope to address the issue single-handedly but we must be proactive.

Regarding the local drugs task forces, a small but dedicated team of workers, community activists and volunteers wage battle daily against this tidal wave. We are all familiar with the excellent work done by the Merchants Quay project and similar projects. While these carry out important work, there is a level of dissatisfaction with the manner in which they are treated, managed and resourced by central government. Many of these centres still operate as pilot projects and, while the workers are highly motivated, they lack security of tenure in their positions. This leads to a high turnover of staff and a lack of consistency for those seeking intervention and creates additional difficulties for managers to plan for three, four or five years' time. This is important because it is these long-term approaches that will ultimately be successful rather than media-focused quick fixes.

I ask the Minister of State to examine this. If it has been demonstrated that a centre is carrying out effective and reliable work, it should be afforded permanent status. All workers, having proved their worth, are as entitled as any other public servant to the same permanency held by such public servants.

The lack of an identified training qualification for drug workers represents a lacuna. Many are highly trained teachers or youth workers who top up their experience by doing a variety of courses. We require a specific qualification validated by universities or institutes of technology. The University of Milan, working in co-operation with European Cities Against Drugs, ECAD, has formulated a course and is preparing students in this discipline. Perhaps the Minister of State would investigate this.

We must strengthen the link with families. Strengthening the families programme has a significant impact at local level. If we help the family, we help the addict. Undoubtedly the local drugs task force, which is responsible for the operation and supervision of specially designed projects, is doing excellent work. The strength of the local task force in identifying emerging trends at local level cannot be underestimated. Local people understand local needs best and can take action accordingly.

The Minister of State referred to the provision of detox beds. The Mannix report recommends 12 detox beds in Cork city and 12 in the Cork county and Kerry region. There is a shortage at present. Will the Minister set aside money in the budget submission for detox beds throughout the country? This would indicate support for the treatment centres.

In 2002, the Farrell Grant Sparks report recommended a dedicated drugs court. I ask the Minister of State to provide drug courts throughout the country.

The Minister of State referred to the Walk Tall and SPHE programmes. Our education services need enhancement and strengthening. As a teacher, I know the time allocated for such programmes in the classroom is not sufficient and needs to be improved.

The residential phase of drug treatment is an important part of the rehabilitation process, deserving great credit. While considerable emphasis is given to community-based outpatient services, it is important that treatment centres such as Tabor Lodge in County Cork are also recognised. Implementation of action 57 of the national drugs strategy, linked to No. 48, is not happening. Proper funding for services such as Tabor Lodge is important. The Minister of State must address the current problem at Tabor Lodge concerning benchmarking awards and take it up with the Health Service Executive and the Labour Court to ensure there is no untold hardship and the proper delivery of services continues.

The Minister of State will find this side of the House supports the work of the national drugs strategy. We have made many strong recommendations. I hope the Minister of State will put more emphasis on the rehabilitation pillar in the forthcoming national drugs strategy and that the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance will provide adequate funding for it in the forthcoming budget.