Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise this issue. I thank the Minister of State for coming in to deal with the issue of drug rehabilitation facilities outside Dublin. It must be acknowledged that we do not have enough beds for rehabilitation, particularly in Cork which has no detox beds. A report carried out by Dr. Mai Mannix highlights the fact that we should have 24 beds for the region, 12 of which should be in the city. There has been a lack of funding for drug rehabilitation over the years, particularly outside Dublin. As the Minister of State knows, rural Ireland has seen an increase in drug use and waiting lists have increased dramatically. According to the Irish Examiner, people in the midlands are waiting for extraordinary periods. Some 90 people are waiting in Athlone whereas 205 are attending its clinic, an increase of 53 from the end of 2007. The increase in the number seeking and availing of services has two implications, namely, putting a strain on drug treatment centres and pressure on the local and regional drugs task forces.

It is clear that the national drugs strategy has done good work, but the Government has failed to deliver a credible and competent rehabilitation service. Drug use has spiralled out of control in many regions. In some cases, the numbers seeking treatment for cocaine abuse have increased over a seven-year period. The drug prevention projects must, alongside rehabilitation, be the cornerstone of any strategy. The regions require treatment and rehabilitation centres, as outlined in articles 48 and 74 of the national drugs strategy. The mid-term review included it in the fifth pillar.

It is extraordinary that Cork has no detoxification beds. The rehabilitation centres are not enough. Drugs are a problem, but the lack of support is becoming a greater one, given the budgetary situation. If we are serious about a prevention and rehabilitation service, funding in these economically stringent times must be provided. We need growth rather than a cutback in the number of places and beds provided.

Rehabilitation involves a multiplicity of disciplines, be they statutory, voluntary or community organisations. People need support, resources must be strategically used and more beds are required at all levels. There are too few dedicated residential services to assist in the recovery and detoxification programmes. In the Minister of State's reply, will he refer to the southern region in this regard? As of last summer, nine counties had no dedicated residential services. This number is extraordinary, given this period of unparalleled drug usage, especially cocaine.

I thank those who work in the voluntary and State agencies and the local drugs task forces. I have concerns about the Health Service Executive, HSE, being the conduit for everything. Perhaps the Minister of State will make some comments in this regard. We have not lived up to our commitments in the national drugs strategy in terms of rehabilitation and detox. We need joined-up thinking.

During the past year, the Irish Examiner published a series of articles. The Minister of State saw the article yesterday that is specific to the matter of drug prevention facilities and so on. Drugs have infiltrated society. Stories such as those printed yesterday and in recent weeks highlight a failure of bureaucracy to channel money and to provide resources to people locally. I compliment the Irish Examiner in this regard.

This debate is not on Dublin specifically, rather on the regions which are suffering an increase in polydrug use. I hope to see a proper rehabilitation and detoxification programme in the new national drugs strategy. I also hope budgets will not be cut. The fifth pillar is pivotal. We need action, not words or empty promises, although I accept the Minister of State's bona fides.

The number of people seeking treatment in all corners of Ireland has increased. Slashed budgets and a lack of commitment will not help. While we live in a world of recessions and cutbacks, drug rehabilitation should not be affected. I hope the Minister of State's reply will be positive. I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the issue on the Adjournment.