Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to organise an early debate on the drugs problem in Ireland. I note reports in this morning's newspapers that Ireland is in the top half of the league in respect of the use and abuse of certain types of drugs. Violent murders take place day after day, as do many drug-related suicides and the decimation and destruction of families and young people. Moreover, anti-social behaviour takes place in estates nationwide and huge pressure is being placed on the health services as a result of the drugs problem. There has been an increase in the sale of, and activity in, drugs because of the economic crisis in which we now find ourselves. People who are short of income are turning to the sale of drugs as a means of raising income and Members have a major crisis on their hands.

This House would be an appropriate venue for a major debate on how this scourge will be tackled, how communities will be helped to come to terms with the associated difficulties and how young people, whose lives are being destroyed by the use of drugs, are to be helped. This is a major issue and I sincerely ask the Leader to organise such a debate. I acknowledge that Members will have a debate this afternoon on the issue of alcohol, which is linked in some ways, but the drugs issue warrants a separate debate and I ask the Leader to organise it at an early opportunity.