Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join those who have asked the Leader to facilitate a further debate on the drugs strategy. When he speaks to the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs with responsibility for this area, he might ask the national forum on drugs to convene to gain the consensus on the issue which exists across the House.

There is a malaise in our society. More and more people are looking for a temporary high. We must get the message out to the drug barons and dealers who prey on the vulnerable that they have no place in our society. Those who glamorise drugs in the media miss the point that drug dealers do not care about anything as long as they get their money. Will the Leader give this urgent attention?

The family of the poor man who died in Waterford this morning asked people "young and old who may be tempted to dabble in potentially lethal substances to simply say No!" That is the most potent message we can send out.