Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I would introduce them immediately. We should empower, enforce, educate and resource. We should not kid ourselves. Senators on the Government side have come to this debate to lecture us. We accept money is not the answer but the essence of what we are at is down to problems such as a sevenfold increase in the use of cannabis. If we need to take in the variations across the counties of the country, we should do so, but we need absolute consistency from Government, which we have not had.

What did the Progressive Democrats former Minister do when he was in Government on the issue? He did nothing. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy Pat Carey, who formerly had responsibility in this area, he went out to meet the people, listened and engaged.

I have a fundamental difficulty with this Government because there has not been a reduction in the availability of illicit drugs. The national drugs strategy aims to enable people with drug misuse problems to access treatment and other supports in order to reintegrate into society. Since this strategy came into being, the reality has been very different.

The Minister of State must accept that we have seen an increase in drug use in rural Ireland, cities and townlands across the country. The process of making treatment available has not been given the necessary priority, which is a point on which Senator O'Malley and I differ. There is also the issue of residential detox bed availability, the number of which remains at 23 in the most recent report of the working group on drug rehabilitation. The report stated that for our population we should have 89 beds, yet it only recommends an increase of 25 beds. That leaves a deficit of 41.

Today we welcome an opportunity to offer input to the next stage of the national drugs strategy. The previous strategy did not meet its own aims and aspirations, even in a time of unbelievable wealth and boom in the economy. Given the people now in charge, although with a new Minister, what is the likelihood of the next phase meeting its aims and objectives? I hope they will be achieved and that there will be no difficulty in convincing this side of the House about it. We need action rather than just talk. It is time to deliver and it is time for accountability in this war against drugs.

I am sceptical because after 11 years in power, what have we seen from this Government? Why have we seen members of the Coast Guard or Garda on television this week lamenting the lack of resources and joined-up thinking? We should have investment in youth. We are hiding behind RAPID and Leader programmes as we have done nothing for middle class areas. People are crying out for help in such places but because they have a certain income, help cannot be provided. RAPID and Leader areas are correctly prioritised but this is a classless war. Drugs go across the boundaries of society.

It is for such reasons we have tabled our amendment. Blame can be apportioned with regard to the lack of treatment facilities, and this blame must be political, involving the Government and Health Service Executive. It is paradoxical that on one hand the Government is extolling people to stop taking drugs and seek treatment and yet these people cannot access treatment. Why is that the case, particularly in considering the rehabilitation pillar of the national drugs strategy? Why has it not been fulfilled?

We welcome the debate on this side and I am not being adversarial. I have been involved in my community helping young people all my life.