Seanad debates

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

6:00 pm

Photo of Lisa McDonaldLisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

I strongly welcome this debate and I sincerely hope it represents the contribution of the Seanad to a process aimed at tackling and reducing the scourge of drug abuse. We cannot allow this opportunity to pass, particularly in light of recent events, but we must not engage in a knee-jerk reaction to the issue of drug abuse.

I am one of the younger Senators in the House and from discussing the prevalence of drug use with members of my generation, and with people who are younger and older than I am, I have come to the conclusion that each generation has its own demons. Cocaine and recreational drug use are the demons of mine and younger generations and we must accept this as a reality. We must then deal with that reality rather than tying to wish it away.

A short amount of time spent in clubs and pubs throughout the country would make one very aware of the depth and prevalence of cocaine use in our society. Queues outside toilet cubicles in nightclubs and the erratic behaviour of many partygoers provide dramatic insight into the vast numbers of young people getting high on cocaine on an average night out. Such is the normality surrounding its presence, it is common for young people who do not use drugs to be offered cocaine. This has created pressure on young people because most of them want to fit in with their peers. It is as though cocaine is part and parcel of the social scene and that if one refuses to take it or to participate, one is seen as a square. The term "recreational drug" suggests that something is being taken at weekends or on a part-time basis and that there is enjoyment, a lack of harm and zero responsibility involved.

Media stories reflect what is happening on the streets and it is our responsibility as legislators to reflect on the type of lifestyle to which I refer and strengthen the law where required. Only yesterday, the Society of Coroners in Ireland said that an increase in cocaine related deaths is being recorded by coroners courts throughout the country. The head of the society, Professor Denis Cusack, stated that in 2000 and 2001 its members began to see a small number of deaths relating to cocaine but that since 2005 there has been a dramatic increase in such deaths. In the light of these statistics, my thoughts are focused on the need for us to offer something other than outrage or hand-wringing.

Now that Ireland has endured high-profile tragedies, such as the death of model Katy French, as a result of cocaine use, it will be interesting to see, in five or ten years' time, whether the current panic had any long-term repercussions or if we took the correct measures to combat this evil and protect and educate young people. At present, there are enough people who want to use drugs and there is a sufficient number of dealers who want to sell them. Cocaine knows no class boundaries and is the play drug of the rich. Unless there is some sudden societal shift away from drug use in general — I include alcohol in this regard — then it is difficult to see how outrage and policing are going to change anything. It is noticeable that there has been a shift in attitude, for the better, towards drinking and driving. It took time for this to be achieved. I am of the view that we can induce a similar cultural change with regard to illegal drug use.

Although I do not have a settled view on the legalisation or downgrading of some drugs, I believe there is a need to engage in a debate on this matter, particularly in the current context. Such a debate might lead, if necessary, to the introduction of a Green Paper on the subject. I also am aware of the concern that exists regarding alcohol addiction. Alcoholism and its consequences have for too long been accepted in Ireland. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State intends to include the need to combat alcohol and its abuse in the national drugs strategy. I also welcome his comments to the effect that he does not intend to confuse the consumption of alcohol with illegal drug use.

New thinking is required in respect of treatment services because the evidence shows that abstinence in opiate drug addiction treatment does not work. There is a need for better links between addiction services and local services. There is a particular need for inpatient treatment facilities for extreme cases, particularly those with severe drug and alcohol dependencies. At present, the only inpatient facility in the addiction services takes patients who are either pregnant or HIV positive. While these patients deserve priority treatment, there are a number of others who would benefit from some form of respite care. Judging and punishing addicts does not solve the problem. Treatment and rehabilitation can work and the Government must invest hard cash in rolling out treatment programmes.

The courts must take a stronger line in imposing mandatory sentences. It is shocking that of 57 convictions in 2006, only three individuals received the full mandatory sentence of ten years. One judge who presided over 30 of these cases imposed an average sentence of three years and three months. If one takes remission into account, this represents a standard term of two years and five months, which is not appropriate, particularly when one considers the consequences of drug addiction and the lavish life styles enjoyed by those who peddle drugs. Judges are imposing the minimum sentence as the exception rather than the rule, whereas, as the legislation indicates, the reverse should be the case.

It is clear that our coastlines are becoming increasingly vulnerable to drug trafficking and recent seizures indicate that remote inlets are a target for smugglers. I come from a coastal community and I am of the view that people living in such places must be vigilant and must assist the Garda and Customs and Excise in tackling drug smuggling. However, we must also ensure that the enforcement organs of the State are well resourced in order that they can carry out operations in this regard.

It is not adequate to expect an eight-vessel Naval Service to protect our 2,700 miles of coastline. We could use satellites and helicopters to assist the Naval Service in its operations. There are many modern technologies that could be used to assist in tracking those who smuggle drugs by sea.

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. Despite his baptism of fire he has performed very well since taking up office. I congratulate him on the poise and intelligence he has displayed in dealing with his brief in recent weeks. The Minister of State has not been pressured into adopting the panic measures suggested by some commentators and Opposition politicians. This will stand him in good stead in the context of fulfilling an increasingly difficult role in the years ahead.

I welcome the Minister of State's decision to devote €5 million next year to educate young people about the dangers of drugs. I hope this important programme is grounded in the real world. It should employ language, images, connotations and spokespersons who can communicate to young people. Our young population is well educated and intelligent. We can get the message across if we put thought-provoking and dramatic images and messages into their daily lives. Every channel of communication, including the Internet, print media, television, radio, cinema, billboards, bus stops, nightclubs, colleges and universities, must be used.

The Minister of State intends to continue in 2008 the digital campaign he commenced this year, involving local radio stations like 98 FM. The campaign, which has got off to an excellent start, needs to be continued. The success of the stark and shocking road safety advertisements demonstrates that media campaigns can change the behaviour of the public. Something along those lines needs to be adopted. We need to use role models like sports stars and celebrities as part of this campaign. The experiences of recovering drug addicts can be used to facilitate debate in classrooms and colleges. An approach of this nature is essential if Government awareness campaigns are to bear fruit.

The main problem with Irish society today is that everything seems to be done to excess. We need to get people to take responsibility for their actions, which might not be popular. As I do not intend to shirk my responsibility as a legislator, I have outlined the responses which I think are required. People are very quick to say they have rights, but they are not so quick to accept they have responsibilities. The excessive nature of many aspects of Irish society is clear when one reflects on phenomena like over-eating, drug use and boy racing. Our excesses are preventing us from reaching our true potential as individuals and as a society. We need to examine how other jurisdictions have reduced the levels of harm associated with drug use. I will conclude by telling the House about a quote I found when I was doing some research today. When the American civil rights campaigner, Jesse Jackson, was addressing a meeting in a college, he said:

Today's students can put dope in their veins or hope in their brains — if they can conceive it and believe it, they can achieve it. They must know it is not their aptitude but their attitude that will determine their altitude.

I agree with the suggestion that personal responsibility is central to this issue.

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